ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this special episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is back in Blackpool for the UK Theme Park Awards, speaking to some of the people and businesses recognised for delivering some of the best work in the UK attractions industry.
But this episode isn’t just about celebrating the winners.
Andy explores what it actually takes to create a great attraction and a memorable visitor experience, asking the people at the heart of the industry what they think makes the difference.
From storytelling and guest experience to technology, people, innovation and the small details visitors remember, Andy gets the winners’ perspectives on what’s working, what could be better and where the industry should be looking next.
If you want to know what the best in the business think makes a great attraction, this is the episode for you.
Listen now and hear directly from the winners of the UK Theme Park Awards.
Show references:
UK Theme Park Awards 2026 - https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/
UK Theme Park Awards 2026 – Interviewees
Courtney Baker - Pleasurewood Hills
Award: 🏆 Theme Park of the Year – Under 1m Visitors
Howard Ebison - Alton Towers Resort / Merlin Entertainments
Award: 🏆 Alton Towers won 9 awards, including Gold for Best Landscaped Theme Park and Gold for Best Brand Activation – Minecraft: Meet the Mobs
Daisy Shirley, Digital Marketing Executive - Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Award: 🏆 Crealy won 5 awards, including Gold for Best Theme Park for Toddlers – Sooty Land
Jodie Hodgkins, Sales & Marketing Manager - Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Award: 🏆 Crealy won 5 awards, including Gold for Best Theme Park for Toddlers – Sooty Land
Rupert Viney - Merlin Entertainments
Representing: LEGOLAND Windsor, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures
Awards: 🏆 LEGOLAND – 6 awards; Thorpe Park – 4 awards; Chessington – 3 awards
Debs Griffin, Director - Sundown Adventureland
Award: 🥇 Gold – Best Christmas Event – Christmas Spectacular
James Cox, ICAE, Director of Marketing - Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Awards: 🥇 Gold – Best Seaside Park (North); 🥈 Silver – Best New Attraction; 🥉 Bronze – Best Theme Park for Thrills; 🥉 Bronze – Best Halloween Event – Journey to Hell
Josh Haywood, Board Director / General Manager - Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Award: 🏆 Outstanding Achievement Award
Lawrence Mancey, Marketing & Technology Director - Paultons Park
Award: 🏆 Theme Park Personality of the Year
Owen Ralph, Attractions Industry Journalist / Awards Judge - Kirmes & Park International / Words and Attractions
Interviewed as a UK Theme Park Awards judge
Lawrence Roots, Founder - Theme Park Network / UK Theme Park Awards
Interviewed as the awards organiser/founder
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.
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.
