Latest news with #Staffordshire-based
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former RAF Kirkbride airfield near Wigton could get new building
AN office building could be built at the former RAF Kirkbride airfield near Wigton if the plans are approved by Cumberland Council. The planning application for the airfield in Kirkbride has been submitted by the Staffordshire-based Ed Weetman (Haulage & Storage). In the application the proposed structure is described as 'an office building associated with the existing business'. According to the document, which was validated by planning officers on Thursday (April 24), no extra parking spaces would be needed. The site covers an area 0.0075 hectares and it is proposed that the development would have a total internal floorspace of 75 square metres which represents an additional 60 square metres. It is proposed that it would be open from 8am, Monday to Saturday, and there are five existing employees at the business which uses general office equipment at the site.
Metro
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Huge UK theme park is axing entry fees – but you'll need to grab tickets fast
Theme parks have long been a go-to choice for a family day out. But they're not exactly cheap. Even if you manage to get a discount on tickets, once you factor in travel, food, and overpriced teddies from the gift shop, a family of four is looking at spending well over £100. However, one popular UK resort is transporting its guests back to the good old days — when you could pass through its barriers for absolutely nothing. Drayton Manor is reviving its 1950s pricing model by scrapping its entry fees. Guests can enjoy free entry on April 24 and 25 — but it won't be a totally free day out, instead, park-goers will use pay-as-you-go tokens to access park rides. The Staffordshire-based theme park boasts over 50 rides and attractions, a 15-acre zoo with more than 500 animals, and an immersive Thomas the Tank Engine-themed land for the little ones. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. During the two-day deal, each ride can be enjoyed for just one to five tokens. These are available to purchase in packs of five and 10 online or from various points around the park. For those who want to avoid counting their tokens, wristbands are also available for unlimited access to rides. These are priced at £30 per person if purchased online in advance or £35 per person when bought on the day at the park. The free entrance is in honour of Drayton Manor's 75th anniversary. Tickets to the theme park would usually start from £27.50 when booked online. All guests are required to book a free ticket online before their visit and walk-up entry is not guaranteed. The free tickets will go on sale 9am on Tuesday 22 April. Victoria Lynn, managing director at Drayton Manor Resort, said: 'Our 75th-anniversary celebrations are in full swing, and as part of that, we want to give families the chance to discover Drayton Manor for less. 'Whether you choose to join us at the park with a picnic or browse the rides, arcade, museum and zoo for free, or go for it with a full wristband, there's plenty of fun to be had at Drayton Manor throughout the weekend and beyond.' Drayton Manor will continue its celebrations throughout the year with 'monthly Fireworks Extravaganzas', live music and a variety of family-themed entertainment. More Trending The theme park, which was awarded the UK's best value theme park in 2023, boasts plenty of attractions. From thrill rides, such as 'The Wave' to River Rapids and children's rides – there's plenty to explore. It also offers a four-star hotel on site, with family rooms, executive rooms, and presidential available to book. You can also find Viking or Thomas & Friends-themed rooms. And, the park is a big hit with visitors. One TripAdvisor reviewer, who went to the park with their three grandchildren, called it a 'thrilling day out', adding: 'Big variety of rides for all ages. We hardly queued at all… Staff are friendly and very hardworking… Definitely would recommend.' Another guest said Drayton Manor was a 'fabulous place': 'Highly recommend. Great selection of rides and all round happy atmosphere.' And a third said their family had an 'overall amazing and joyful experience.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Mejuri launches unmissable Stacking Event with up to 20% off for a limited time only MORE: The six companies in the UK that give dads 52 weeks paid paternity leave MORE: After decades of hair pulling, this 'fast-acting' serum helped me grow my it back
Metro
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Joyful' UK theme park is scrapping admission fees — how to get free tickets
Theme parks have long been a go-to choice for a family day out. But they're not exactly cheap. Even if you manage to get a discount on tickets, once you factor in travel, food, and overpriced teddies from the gift shop, a family of four is looking at spending well over £100. However, one popular UK resort is transporting its guests back to the good old days — when you could pass through its barriers for absolutely nothing. Drayton Manor is reviving its 1950s pricing model by scrapping its entry fees. Guests can enjoy free entry on April 24 and 25 — but it won't be a totally free day out, instead, park-goers will use pay-as-you-go tokens to access park rides. The Staffordshire-based theme park boasts over 50 rides and attractions, a 15-acre zoo with more than 500 animals, and an immersive Thomas the Tank Engine-themed land for the little ones. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. During the two-day deal, each ride can be enjoyed for just one to five tokens. These are available to purchase in packs of five and 10 online or from various points around the park. For those who want to avoid counting their tokens, wristbands are also available for unlimited access to rides. These are priced at £30 per person if purchased online in advance or £35 per person when bought on the day at the park. The free entrance is in honour of Drayton Manor's 75th anniversary. Tickets to the theme park would usually start from £27.50 when booked online. All guests are required to book a free ticket online before their visit and walk-up entry is not guaranteed. The free tickets will go on sale 9am on Tuesday 22 April. Victoria Lynn, managing director at Drayton Manor Resort, said: 'Our 75th-anniversary celebrations are in full swing, and as part of that, we want to give families the chance to discover Drayton Manor for less. 'Whether you choose to join us at the park with a picnic or browse the rides, arcade, museum and zoo for free, or go for it with a full wristband, there's plenty of fun to be had at Drayton Manor throughout the weekend and beyond.' Drayton Manor will continue its celebrations throughout the year with 'monthly Fireworks Extravaganzas', live music and a variety of family-themed entertainment. More Trending The theme park, which was awarded the UK's best value theme park in 2023, boasts plenty of attractions. From thrill rides, such as 'The Wave' to River Rapids and children's rides – there's plenty to explore. It also offers a four-star hotel on site, with family rooms, executive rooms, and presidential available to book. You can also find Viking or Thomas & Friends-themed rooms. And, the park is a big hit with visitors. One TripAdvisor reviewer, who went to the park with their three grandchildren, called it a 'thrilling day out', adding: 'Big variety of rides for all ages. We hardly queued at all… Staff are friendly and very hardworking… Definitely would recommend.' Another guest said Drayton Manor was a 'fabulous place': 'Highly recommend. Great selection of rides and all round happy atmosphere.' And a third said their family had an 'overall amazing and joyful experience.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Having three kids is a status symbol – unless you look like me MORE: My kids eat their Easter chocolate at once – I'm not a bad parent MORE: I made the difficult decision to cut contact with my dying dad
BBC News
16-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Staffordshire-based JCB doubles USA factory size due to tariffs
A Staffordshire-based digger firm is planning to ramp up production in the USA after the American administration brought in new levies on imported at JCB said they had planned for a situation where tariffs would be imposed, and had made preparations to increase production in the is an important market for the firm, which is headquartered in executive officer Graeme Macdonald said:"The north American market is the largest market in the world. To put it into perspective, it is double the size of [the market in] Europe." He added: "Politics aside, the Trump administration is full of business people."They are business people who are willing to do deals, so I'd encourage our UK government to go and do a deal with the US administration."As part of the company's long-term strategy in America, JCB is doubling the size of its factory in began last June, and production is due to begin next firm already has a plant in Georgia, USA, where it has been based for 25 years. Bosses at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, however, described the current uncertainty around tariffs as "crippling"."People are just really uncertain what it means, and at what point it comes in," said CEO Rachel has left some businesses looking to trade more with other Savage from Barkers Fencing, a high security fencing specialist in Stoke-on-Trent, said: "We'll probably adjust our strategy a little bit.""There'll be opportunities in other territories – Canada, for example."He said he could foresee some American companies preferring British-made products to American how best to adapt remains a question asked by many business bosses. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drayton Manor's free entry prank for April Fool's may be real after all
Theme park fans have been left baffled by Drayton Manor's April Fool's joke that claimed admission fees would be dropped this year – only for the resort to then reveal that the joke could actually be true. April Fool's jokes have become a popular marketing tactic for companies in recent years to stir up a bit of recognition on 1 April, whether their claims are true or not. This year, some of the most outrageous April Fool's 'offers' included Branston launching a new 'tin to tint' lip baked beans gloss and Terry's, best known for its iconic Chocolate Orange, revealing it is stepping into the dental industry with its own mint chocolate toothpaste. Amusement parks also got a slice of the prankster action too. On April Fool's Day, Staffordshire-based Drayton Manor posted on its social media that its theme park would be free to enter. The post read: 'Imagine not having to pay to get into Drayton Manor…' 'Oh wait, you don't! 'To celebrate our 75th birthday, we're scrapping our admission fees this year, so everyone can join in the fun!' Yet two hours later after 12pm, when jokes are meant to end, the park then released a follow-up post to reveal that slashing their fees was an April Fool's joke, only to confuse theme park enthusiasts further. 'APRIL FOOLS! Or is it…,' the follow-up post started. 'But seriously… we ARE scrapping admission fees to celebrate our 75th anniversary!' 'The best part? All the details – including when you can jump in on this epic offer – are coming soon! 'Stay tuned, because 2025 is going to be one unforgettable year at Drayton Manor!' In Drayton Manor's initial post, they carefully used the words 'this year' when announcing its free-to-enter scheme, but did not clarify if this meant just a select date or the entire season. APRIL FOOLS! Or is it... 🤔But seriously… we ARE scrapping admission fees to celebrate our 75th anniversary! 🥳The best part? All the details—including when you can jump in on this epic offer—are coming soon! Stay tuned, it's going to be mega! 🎢✨#DraytonManor #75Years — Drayton Manor (@DraytonManor) April 1, 2025 A spokesperson for Drayton Manor clarified to The Independent: 'The park will be removing entry fees for a number of days to celebrate its 75th birthday.' The park added that all the details will be revealed in the next couple of weeks. Despite the April Fool's joke coming true for some to-be-announced dates scrapping entry fees, some park fans criticised the initial post amid cost-of-living concerns. 'If this is an April's fool joke it is a bit cruel… With the cost of living and bills going up again… Parents are feeling guilty they can't afford to take children on days out, They might see this and get excited/think yeah we can have a day out!' one social media user wrote. 'I'm all for a joke but maybe the timings are are bit wrong with the current situation.' Another person wrote: 'Yeah have to say it looks like you're joking at the expense of people who'd really benefit from getting in free'. While many other users were relieved to see that the free admission would become a reality for certain days, some were still concerned they could not grab the offer after already purchasing tickets for later in the year or spending hundreds on season passes. Drayton Manor said it decided to tease this announcement by framing it as 'a playful April Fool's Day prank.' 'There will also be plenty more celebrations in store for visitors, including special events, experiences and exciting surprises, throughout the year to mark the major anniversary,' the spokesperson added. Drayton Manor has already announced some of its 75th-anniversary celebrations, with this weekend kicking off with a 50s tribute act, rides opening late on 5 April, the first of its monthly fireworks, and an Easter egg hunt with a chance to win a Diamond Annual pass.
