Skip the Queue

Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots to discuss the UK Theme Park Awards, industry trends, and his Guinness World Record challenge to visit every nominated UK theme park. Plus, Josh Haywood from Crealy shares his excitement for this year's awards and the park's latest developments.

Topics Discussed

The growth and purpose of Theme Park Network

How the UK Theme Park Awards recognise excellence

New award categories introduced for 2026

Lawrence Roots' Guinness World Record challenge

Visiting all 37 nominated UK theme parks in 15 days

Trends shaping the UK theme park industry

Brand activations and IP partnerships

The importance of presentation standards and landscaping

Why staff are the key to exceptional guest experiences

Theme Park Personality, Rising Star and Outstanding Achievement awards

The value of public voting

Continuous investment in attractions and guest experiences

Josh Haywood on Crealy's new attractions for 2026

Josh Haywood's Theme Park Personality nomination

Behind the scenes at the start of Lawrence's record-breaking journey

 

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/

 

Theme Park Awards: How They Work and Why You Should Care - Lawrence Roots

https://skipthequeue.fm/episodes/lawrence-roots

 

Josh Haywood - Board Director of Crealy Theme Park Resort

https://www.crealy.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-haywood-68463630/

 

Voting in the 2026 UK Theme Park Awards is now open from the 20th July until the 28th August 2026. Register now to vote.

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

In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Clive Morris, founder of CCM Consulting, to explore the financial realities facing visitor attractions. They discuss the recent UK VAT changes, why collecting the right operational and financial data matters, and how attractions can strengthen the case for future VAT reform. Clive also shares practical advice on connecting finance with day-to-day operations to support better business decisions.

Topics Discussed

The recent VAT changes affecting UK visitor attractions

Why finance and operations should work more closely together

The importance of collecting accurate visitor and revenue data

Building the case for future VAT reform

Using financial insights to improve operational decisions

Common financial challenges facing attractions

Practical advice for attraction leaders and finance teams

How better reporting supports long-term business growth

 

Show references: 

 

Clive Morris - founder of CCM Consulting

https://cmm-consulting.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-morris/

 

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.

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 Sami Entwisle 

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (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

Dynamic pricing can be one of the most powerful tools available to visitor attractions but only when it's used well. Andy Povey is joined by pricing expert Adriaan Van Der Hek to discuss the practical realities of dynamic pricing, how it benefits both attractions and visitors, and why getting your pricing strategy right can drive higher revenue, better attendance and happier guests.

Topics Discussed

What dynamic pricing really means for visitor attractions

The evolution of dynamic pricing over the past two decades

Balancing revenue optimisation with guest satisfaction

Using demand forecasting to influence ticket pricing

Common misconceptions about dynamic pricing

How attractions can introduce dynamic pricing successfully

The role of technology and online booking platforms

Managing peak and off-peak demand

Pricing strategies for different attraction types

Using data to make smarter commercial decisions

Encouraging advance bookings through pricing

Practical advice for attractions considering dynamic pricing

 

Show references: 

 

Adriaan van der Hek - COO of HomeBuddy -  AI, SaaS, Data, Tech, Advertising, Dynamic Pricing, Operations, E-Commerce, Lead Generation

https://contractor.homebuddy.com/

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

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

 

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.

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 Sami Entwisle 

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (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 Summer Special of Skip the Queue, guest host and attractions industry journalist Owen Ralph is joined by three theme park operators for a closer look at their new offerings for 2026.

Lawrence Mancey discusses Paultons Park’s £12 million themed area Valgard, the largest ever investment at the UK park, also home to Peppa Pig World. He explains how the viking theme was a ‘no-brainer’, why the family-run park likes creating its own IP, and also tells us about Paultons’ embryonic holiday park plans.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s James Cox highlights the famous park’s new £8.7 million Aviktas thrill ride and its long-running Hot Ice show. He also explains how the team is trying to revitalise neglected areas of the seaside site and why its operating season is longer than most other British parks.

Finally, Hogne Høstmælingen from Hunderfossen in Norway – celebrating its 40th anniversary this season – tell us about the Lillehammer park’s troll roots and much more. We hear how an IP first introduced in 2014 has spawned three attractions including a rollercoaster, Thea Award-winning simulator experience and the new dark ride Rally Flåklypa.

Topics Discussed

Developing a new themed area

Working with intellectual properties

Increasing Paultons’ appeal to older kids

The flexibility of lodge accommodation Vs a hotel

Choosing a new thrill and where to site it

Revitalising a forgotten corner of Blackpool Pleasure Beach

How an eye-catching ride can be an ‘attraction’ even to those that don’t ride it

Live entertainment and its role in broadening a park’s offering

Squeezing a dark ride into a remarkably small building

How Hunderfossen invested in a movie to extend an IP’s life

A unique troll-themed dining experience

An enchanting winter park offer

 

Show references: 

 

Guest host:

Owen Ralph

International Editor, Kirmes & Park International

Regular contributor, Blooloop/World’s Fair

www.kirmesparkrevue.de

www.wordsandattractions.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-ralph/

 

Lawrence Mancey

Marketing and Technology Director, Paultons Park, UK

www.paultonspark.co.uk/themed-worlds/valgard-realm-of-the-vikings

https://796f0761.flowpaper.com/GemiKirmes0726E150/#page=24

 

James Cox

Director of Marketing, Sales and PR, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort, UK

www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/aviktas

www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/shows/hot-ice

 

Hogne Høstmælingen

General Manager, Hunderfossen, Norway 

www.hunderfossen.no/en/

www.boldmove-nation.com/rally-fl%C3%A5klypa

 

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.

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 Owen Ralph 

Edited by Steve Folland

Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwisle (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, 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