Camelot Theme Park calls in receivers (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Camelot Theme Park calls in receivers

5:11pm Tuesday 3rd February 2009 in

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Camelot Theme Park and Park Hall Hotel were placed into receivership today, threatening more than 100 jobs.

The theme park and hotel, based in Charnock Richard, are operated by Prime Resorts and employ 101 permanent staff.

Les Ross and Malcolm Shierson, of accountants Grant Thornton, have been appointed joint receivers.

The 140 room hotel, which employs around 80 people, will continue to trade as normal while a buyer is sought but the theme park will not open as planned in April.

Last month, Prime Resorts announced 18 staff had been laid off at the hotel a further 29 redundancies were announced across both businesses today.

The theme park, which employed 21 permanent staff during the winter months, was due to open on April 4.

Discussions are ongoing as to the future of the site.

Camelot opened in 1983 and has expanded and invested in new rides over the past 25 years.

In addition to the permanent roles, it employed hundreds of seasonal staff, many of them students, to man the rides and provide services such as catering.

Les Ross, a partner in Grant Thornton’s Manchester office, said: “Camelot Theme Park has struggled for a number of years to compete with larger attractions such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Alton Towers.

“Visitor numbers had been in decline at the park, which only operated for 20 weeks out of the year.

“The hotel had an extremely busy Christmas and New Year and also has very healthy bookings for functions and short leisure breaks. However, it has suffered a significant reduction in corporate bookings due to the economic downturn.

“We are optimistic about finding a buyer for the hotel, which will remain open for business as normal.”

The theme park features white knuckle rides such as Knighmare and attractions such as Squire Bumpkin’s Farm.

Only last month, when the previous job losses were announced Prime Resorts said there were no imminent plans to shut either the hotel or the theme park.

Proposals to potentially transform the complex into a mixed use development with residential, retail and leisure facilities were revealed in 2006 with plans for a village of more than 1,000 houses.

Prime Resorts submitted an interest as part of a 20-year masterplan for development.

Alan Whittaker, county councillor for Chorley Rural West expressed shock at the decision to close what for decades has been one of Lancashire’s biggest tourism draws.

He said: “It’s terrible news for those losing their jobs and will have a serious knock effect for businesses in nearby villages who were suppliers to the park.

“Camelot has been a big draw to the Chorley area for millions of tourists over the years who have brought money into the local economy.

“I just hope they can find a buyer for the hotel.”