Skip the Queue

In this episode, Matt Stubbs, Creative Director at Little Lion Entertainment, shares insights into the innovative world of immersive entertainment, from the origins of the Crystal Maze to the cutting-edge Arcade Arena concept. Discover how technology, storytelling, and experiential design are shaping the future of location-based entertainment.

Topics Discussed

The evolution of immersive experiences from theatre to tech-driven attractions

The concept and development of Arcade Arena as a new entertainment category

The integration of gaming, live performance, and technology

Designing scalable and repeatable experiences like Pac-Man and Chaos Carts

The importance of human interaction and storytelling in immersive entertainment

Future trends in location-based entertainment and destination experiences

The role of innovation, testing, and iteration in attraction development

Balancing nostalgia with new technology to create engaging experiences

 

Show references: 

 

Matt Stubbs - Director of Creative at Little Lion Entertainment

https://littlelionentertainment.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-lion-entertainment-limited/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-stubbs-8869161b0/

Arcade Arena opening in September 

https://www.rli.uk.com/little-lion-entertainment-unveils-arcade-arena/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

 

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Duncan Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of DP Leisure and DP Associates, the team behind 360 Play.

They discuss the potential impact of Universal's proposed UK resort, the opportunities it could create for attractions, and how operators can adapt to changing guest expectations. Duncan shares his thoughts on destination thinking, collaboration, competition, and the priorities attractions should focus on over the next five years.

Topics Discussed

Universal's proposed UK destination resort and its potential impact

How major attractions influence regional tourism

Opportunities for existing attractions to benefit from increased visitor numbers

The role of destination resorts in shaping visitor behaviour

Collaboration versus competition within the attractions sector

Lessons from international theme park destinations

The importance of differentiation and unique experiences

How family attractions can position themselves for future growth

Infrastructure, accommodation, and wider economic impacts

What operators should be doing now to prepare

 

Show references: 

 

Duncan Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of DP Leisure and DP Associates

https://www.dpassociates.uk.com/

https://360play.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-phillips-7b8962112/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Olly Reed from Navigate is joined by Rob Comley of Chester Zoo and Simon Townsend of the Eden Project to discuss the growing impact of weather forecasting apps on visitor attractions. They discuss how simple weather icons can influence consumer behaviour, with misleading rain forecasts causing significant drops in attendance even when poor weather never materialises.

Rob shares the story behind Chester Zoo's campaign calling for improvements to how weather forecasts are displayed, a movement now supported by more than 100 attractions and businesses across the UK. They discuss changing visitor behaviour, the importance of value for money, the rise of last-minute booking habits, and the role weather perception plays in decision-making. The episode also looks ahead to the campaign's upcoming discussions with the Met Office and highlights exciting developments at Chester Zoo and the Eden Project.

Topics Discussed

The impact of weather app icons on visitor attraction attendance

How weather perception influences consumer decision-making

Chester Zoo's campaign for improved weather forecast presentation

The economic impact of inaccurate weather perceptions on attractions

Industry support from attractions, farm shops, events, and hospitality businesses

Visitor behaviour changes and the rise of last-minute bookings

The relationship between weather forecasts and value for money expectations

Differences in how weather affects Chester Zoo and the Eden Project

The role of the Met Office and discussions around forecast communication

Alternative weather forecasting models used in Europe

The importance of accurate communication rather than challenging weather science

How attractions adapt to changing weather patterns and climate conditions

Future plans for the weather forecast campaign

New developments at Chester Zoo including Heart of Africa and The Reserve lodges

The Eden Project's 25th anniversary celebrations and Eden Sessions

Optimism for the future of the visitor attraction sector

 

Show references: 

 

Guest Host:

Olly Reed - Marketing Director of Navigate

https://www.navigate.agency/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/navigate-agency

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olly-reed/

 

Guests: 

Simon Townsend of Eden Project

http://www.edenproject.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/eden-project/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-townsend-10137914/

Rob Comley - Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager at Chester Zoo

http://www.chesterzoo.org

https://www.linkedin.com/company/chester-zoo/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcomley/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Olly Reed.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Bala McAlinn, Managing Director Complete Works to discuss how visitor attractions can balance technology with authentic human interaction. Bala shares how storytelling, performance techniques and well-trained frontline teams can transform guest experiences, increase revenue and encourage repeat visits, while exploring why technology should support human connection rather than replace it.

 

Topics Discussed

Balancing technology and human interaction in attractions

Why storytelling improves guest experiences

Using theatrical techniques in visitor attractions

Training frontline teams to create memorable interactions

How live experiences increase revenue and repeat visits

The importance of authentic human connection

Christmas and Halloween event production for attractions

Creating immersive shows and seasonal experiences

Why attractions should invest in people as well as technology

The role of confidence and communication in guest engagement

How attractions can improve experiences without major budgets

Using staff feedback to improve visitor experiences

The growing importance of experiential entertainment

Networking and collaboration within the attractions industry

Why events and live experiences encourage repeat visitation

 

Show references: 

 

Bala McAlinn - Managing Director Complete Works

www.complete-works.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/company/completeworks/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bala-mcalinn-05406683/

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here

Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots to explore the growing importance of the UK Theme Park Awards and why they matter to operators across the visitor attraction industry. Lawrence shares how the awards recognise excellence across parks of all sizes, combine expert judging with public voting, and help raise standards across the sector. They also talk about the emerging trends in the UK theme park industry, the value of consistency and creativity, and practical advice for operators looking to create award-winning guest experiences.

Topics Discussed

The origins and evolution of the UK Theme Park Awards

How public voting and expert judging combine to decide winners

Why awards matter for marketing, recognition and team motivation

The role of creativity, consistency and guest experience in judging

New award categories, including Rising Star and Outstanding Achievement

Trends shaping the UK theme park industry in 2026

Major upcoming projects and investments across UK parks

Why smaller operators can compete alongside major brands

The importance of understanding audience needs

Practical ways attractions can improve experiences without large budgets

Why investing in people is as important as investing in attraction

 

Show references: 

 

Lawrence Roots, Founder of UK Theme Park Awards

https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ukthemeparkawards/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-roots/

Nominations for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026 are now open. Register to make nominations and vote in the UK Theme Park Awards.

https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/register

 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Merac. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your guest host is Andy Povey.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Credits:

Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

Download The Visitor Attractions Website Survey Report - https://www.merac.co.uk/download-the-visitor-attractions-survey

We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop’ — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.

Download your FREE copy here