Towers takes an aquarium plunge
ALTON Towers has revealed plans to open an aquarium next year.
Bosses at the theme park want to install a Sea Life centre at the attraction for when the new season begins in March.
A spokesman confirmed that a planning application has been submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.
If the plans are approved, the aquarium will be installed at the theme park's pirate-themed Mutiny Bay area, which was launched in March.
It is thought it will replace a 3D cinema which has not operated since 2004 and has since been used as a shop.
The Alton Towers Almanac, an unofficial website devoted to the park, speculates that the new attraction will cost around £1.8 million to install.
Bosses say the aquarium will be the 30th Sea Life centre to open around the world.
Alton Towers's owner Merlin Entertainments Group runs centres throughout the UK and across Europe in countries including Spain, Germany, Finland and Poland.
A spokesman said: "The Alton Towers Sea Life will provide the familiar friendly and authoritative guide to the last great frontier – the seas and oceans of the world, and their myriad mysterious and amazing inhabitants."
The resort's divisional director Russell Barnes added: "The addition of a Sea Life aquarium will perfectly complement the fantastic range of family attractions we have here at the resort.
"The plans promise an attraction that will be a very special experience that all the family can enjoy together. We'll be adding our own unique Alton Towers touch to Sea Life's excellent reputation and expertise in marine conservation, education and awareness."
The Sea Life centres across the UK feature freshwater and tropical fish, seahorses, sharks and turtles.
The firm's flagship centre in Birmingham includes a one million-litre ocean tank complete with the world's first 360 degree transparent, tubular underwater walk-through tunnel.
Proposals for the aquarium come weeks after Alton Towers announced plans to tear down its famous Corkscrew ride when its season ends on November 9. The ride was Europe's first double-loop roller-coaster when it opened in April 1980.
Paul Williams, principal lecturer in marketing and tourism at Staffordshire University, said: "In an aggressively competitive visitor attraction marketplace it is crucial for Alton Towers to refresh and augment its tourism product.
"A new Sea Life centre will certainly complement the existing portfolio of attractions available to its target markets. This type of development will undoubtedly attract media attention, enhance Alton Towers's unique image and reputation, and is also likely to result in a boost to visit numbers.
"Moreover, this will also firmly cement North Staffordshire's place on the national tourism map."
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4 Comments
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Friday, October 17 2008, 7:27AM
“Can anyone remember AT haveing a sealion pool near the enterance to the park in the late 70s. It had sealines in (well it would, it was a sealion pool) and they were right nosie beggers as well, I can't remember the Ropers kicking off about them.”
by Rog, Longton
Thursday, October 16 2008, 10:42AM
“Lets just hope that they have the room to get one of them Killer Whales in there, all that spashing and whistling goins on. At least Flipper and a few of his mates sploshing around and honking away, the Ropers would love it...lol.”
by Michael John, Lightoaks
Thursday, October 16 2008, 10:17AM
“I hope the fish don't make to much noise,,remember the neighbours, and keep an eye on the sharks.”
by Warren, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, October 16 2008, 9:07AM
“A fine idear, meny potentiel visters to Alton Towers dont what to or can not go on the thirll rides. Puting a large aquarium in and maybe focusing on the wonderfull gardens there would bring in more visters wanting to pay to see this insteed of jumping on the rollercosters.”