Theme park has big plan Council looks at M&D’S bid
A new ride and an allweather dome are part of multi-million plans to enhance M&D’S.
They have approached North Lanarkshire Council with a proposal to increase the land they lease at Strathclyde Park.
And councillors on the Infrastructure Committee are set to make a decision today (Wednesday).
A report that will go before elected members states: “The proposals include space to accommodate a possible extension to the Alona Hotel, a new feature ride and additional landscaping and an events areas including an all-weather dome.
“The proposals estimate an additional 90 full and part -time permanent jobs will be created. The developments will improve the appeal to regional visitors and impact positively on Strathclyde Park as a visitor destination.”
M & D (Leisure) Limited ( M & D’s) have put the proposals before the council with the aim of creating “a first class, year- round attraction in Lanarkshire which would attract visitors from all over the UK”.
Plans include an extension to the Alona Hotel, with 37 more rooms and a spa and beauty treatment area.
And proposals for inside the theme park include a new feature ride and additional landscaping. The report adds: “Extensions requested to the north and east of the park will allow events areas to be created including an all-weather dome.
“The planned event market includes car rallies, steam fairs and Highland Games. M & D’s are also increasing their marketing effort in Northern Ireland and the North of England and are already seeing a rise in visitors from further afield choosing to visit and stay.
“Discussions are ongoing with officers to develop joint marketing of the country park facilities with M&D’S to improve the offer for longer duration visits.”
It continues: “M & D’s plan to invest in the region of £ 3million in the hotel upgrades and over £1million in creating events areas and improving rides and landscaping in the theme park.
“The estimated resultant increase in turnover is £3.5 to £4 million. This will result in increased rental income to the council and a positive impact on visitor numbers to the park.
“M & D’s currently employ 310 permanent and 120 seasonal employees with 95 per cent living in Lanarkshire. Their proposals aim to increase this by 30 per cent, creating up to 90 new positions with a mixture of full and part-time, spread between the hotel and park. M & D’s already run A mobile cancer support service is heading to Wishaw.
Beryl, the Macmillan Cancer Support bus will offer free specialist information and support.
It’s open to anyone who has cancer, is worried about a loved one, or concerned about the signs and symptoms.the mobile support team will be on hand no matter the concern.
Staffed by health professionals, the Macmillan bus will visit the Wishaw Morrisons on 160 Kirk Road onthursday, September 14 between 9am student placements within their business and are in discussions with local colleges to expand this.”
The report says the existing site is 6.36 hectares and additional ground will extend to 11.97 hectares, resulting in a total revised lease area of 18.33 hectares.
And the report also says: “The subjects are currently leased to M & D’s for a period of 99 years from March 2, 1996. An extension of lease, incorporating further areas to accommodate the construction of the hotel on site, was agreed with additional areas being granted on October 10, 2003. The current rent is £205,200 per annum, calculated on a turnover basis.
“M & D (Leisure) Limited ( M & D’s) approached the council in 2016 with a request to include additional areas of land within their lease to enable expansion of their business. The council requested that a more detailed proposal was put forward to enable discussion and decision making.
“A more detailed proposal has now been put forward by M & D’s”
The recommendation from council officers to councillors is that the Infrastructure Committee approves the proposal to vary the current lease held by M & D Leisure Ltd at Strathclyde Country Park as outlined. and 3pm.the team will offer specialist cancer information and emotional support, as well as giving advice on the signs and symptoms of all cancers.
Craig Blackwood, Radiographer and Cancer Information and Support Specialist said:“a cancer diagnosis is devastating, and we know it’s not always easy to know where to go for information or to find someone to talk to.
“That’s why we are coming towishaw.
“We also know how hard it is to deal with both the physical and emotional impacts of cancer and we want to ensure people can access face-to-face support, whether they have been diagnosed or are caring for a loved one.
“We can offer practical information and support about finances, benefits, support and signposting to relevant services.”
Anyone who needs help before the bus arrives, or who can’t get along on the day, can call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 808 0000, Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.
Go to www.macmillan. org.uk/mobileinfo.