Al pam are stays a float
DECISION ON SCARBOROUGH WATERPARK’S FUTURE
The business which leases Scarborough’s waterpark from the council says it still believes Alpamare is the best company to run the facility. Benchmark Leisure Ltd says it still has confidence in Alpamare, despite its recent financial worries which has seen it announce that the park will only be open at weekends and holidays in the future.
It has also said that work on the new Premier Inn hotel will start next month and confirmed that it remains committed to plans to build a cinema nearby.
A winding-up petition against Alpamare was due to be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London yesterday but British Gas Trading confirmed it was applying to withdraw proceedings.
On Tuesday, Alpamare announced it has secured a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to meet its debt obligations.
Director Dr Anton Hoefter said: “The fact that the CVA proposal has been accepted is very positive news for Alpamare, as it allows us to continue trading as before.
“With the new Wellness at Alpamare opening soon, we will be able to offer something new and unique for Scarborough and enhance the attractiveness of the waterpark even further.”
Scarborough Council has granted a 35-year lease for the waterpark and adjoining car park to Benchmark Leisure Ltd. The council gave Benchmark a £9 million unsecured loan to facilitate the development of the £14 million waterpark.
A spokesperson for Benchmark Leisure said: “The issues currently being experienced by Alpamare will result in lessons being learnt by the company and does not alter the fact that it runs very successful water parks throughout Europe.
“We have retained the long-term lease for the site, from the council, and we feel Alpamare is the best operator to run the water park in the future.
“Construction of the new Premier Inn in the North Bay will start early in February and we will deliver the cinema and leisure scheme too.
“Over recent years we have helped to successfully transform this area of Scarborough and make it a real asset for both residents and visitors.”
Following the financial concerns, Alpamare has said it is reviewing its Scarborough opeartions, which will mean the new spa will be open all-year-round, but the waterpark will only operate at weekends and during holiday periods.
Cllr Helen Mallory, Scarborough Borough Council’s deputy leader, said: “We are delighted to hear that Alpamare’s plans include the forthcoming opening of the state-of-the-art Wellness Spa, which will attract more visitors and may well appeal to a different type of customer compared to those that have visited the waterpark to date.”