Latest news with #UnderTheSea
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Three UK seaside towns set for £150m Butlin's boost with eyes on 'fourth site'
Butlin's has unveiled a huge £150 million investment to make drastic improvements across its three UK sites, which attract around 1.5 million holidaymakers every year, over the next five years A trio of seaside resorts are slated for a huge tourism boost thanks to an ambitious £150 million investment. It's no secret that the UK's coastline suffered a huge fall from grace in the late 1950s - when packaged holidays to sunny hotspots like Spain started to become more affordable. The Benidorm-boom resulted in swathes of holiday resorts closing their doors, and saw once-vibrant seaside towns slip into disarray. However, Billy Butlin's holiday camps have stood the test of time, attracting around 1.5 million guests per year across their three resorts. Renowned for its huge swimming pools, stellar entertainment, and iconic Red Coat staff - Butlin's has now got its eye on a potential fourth site. READ MORE: UK's 'worst' seaside town's £60m tourism plan after Butlin's snub 41 years ago In a statement sent to the Mirror, a Butlin's spokesperson said: "With Butlin's turning 90 next year, we are immensely proud of the role we've played in so many seaside towns around the country, entertaining generations of guests. Our priority today is investing in our existing three resorts." Over the next five years, the holiday resort is investing a staggering £150 million into its Bognor Regis, Skegness and Minehead sites. This huge boost will focus on 'upgrading our accommodation and opening state of the art facilities'. Just last month, Butlin's unveiled a £1.8million upgrade to its Bognor Regis site as it opened its biggest ever indoor Soft Play centre and Puppet Theatre. The four storey, 3,000 square feet Soft Play centre - which is included in the price of a family break and day passes - doubles its capacity of the previous Soft Pay. Able to hold around 200 children, the Soft Play area features slides, climbing challenges, cargo nets, log ramps, and even a multi-sensory area for babies. The brand-new Puppet Theatre will entertain guests with shows including Under The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle and Christmouse. It follows the £15 million that was invested last year to open up Butlin's PLAYEXPERIENCE in Bognor Regis. The indoor activity centre, which opened on October 7, 2024, spans across two floors and offers a slew of entertainment including TechPutt, Escape Rooms, VR-cade, Glow Pong, Shuffleboard, Laser Tag, Batting Cage, Neo Games and Digi Darts, as well as a new café and bar. As previously reported, Butlin's also allocated £23 million last year to spruce up guest rooms and upgrade children's play facilities over at its Minehead site. This follows severe flood damage back in September 2023 which meant 400 units of accommodation needed a total makeover. £2.5 million of the investment was used to open Minehead's SKYPARK, which boasts the UK's longest swingline at 42 metres, as well as a wheelchair-friendly seesaw and two light-up intertwining slides. Over in Skegness, upgrades include four new fairground rides, a new SKYPARK, and the decision to make Studio 37 - a high-tech entertainment venue - a permanent feature. In 2013, Butlin's also unveiled a £12 million accommodation project to open 128 premium lodges in Skegness. The luxury lodges each have three bedrooms including a main bedroom with king sized bed and en-suite shower room, two twin rooms, a fully equipped kitchen with full sized fridge freezer, microwave and hob, private decking with outdoor furniture and parking space for two cars directly outside the accommodation. If you currently live too far from all three Butlin's sites in the UK - don't worry, as a fourth site could soon be in the works. "We've identified the North West of England where we don't have a resort as the near-term opportunity for our continued growth," the spokesperson added.
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Behind the scenes with Ragamuffins as tearful members open up about Aberdeen Arts Centre's fight for survival
Rhonda Scott is warming up at the keyboard as she prepares for the latest in a long lines of performances at Aberdeen Arts Centre. The musician has been taking part in productions at the theatre for decades, and has been part of the Ragamuffins kids troupe since it started 30 years ago. This run of The Little Mermaid, a colourful spectacular based on the Disney film, will be a little different though. It comes just days after it emerged this cherished 'palace of dreams' on King Street is fighting for its future – with the musical coinciding with a major fundraising drive. And as she gears up for the show, Rhonda can't help but reflect on what this storied old building means to her. Taking a break from tinkling away at Under The Sea, the keys fall silent as she tells me: 'I don't know what I would do if something happened to this place.' Earlier this month, venue bosses missed out on lifeline funding from the council. They have now launched a desperate fundraising campaign to amass £660,000 and secure their future – which has already been backed by acting royalty Brian Cox. The theatre's plight has touched hearts across Aberdeen, with people digging deep to contribute about £10,000 already. It's against this backdrop that I turn up at the theatre at about 5pm on Tuesday night, as volunteers are just starting to arrive and the band is tuning up in the auditorium. Over the next two hours, more performers file in and the buzz inside begins to grow. Wednesday's debut show will be the culmination of months of preparation, and hours spent memorising lines and lyrics with the helps of mums and dads. All the hard work and dedication comes down to this week. And the anticipation was high even before the show took on some added significance when the fight for the venue's future began. As it happens, this is the Ragamuffins' 30th anniversary show – and they're putting on their biggest musical spectacular yet… I join 50 kids backstage (aged all the way from P2 to S1) as well as the volunteers, chatting to them to find out what this space means to them – and how they would feel if it closes. Instantly I am greeted with warm smiles as Eoin Smith from the centre takes me to the auditorium. Ragamuffins is a voluntary group run by best friends who also all performed when they were little. As the band is busy warming up, I manage to borrow keyboard player Rhonda for a quick chat. Rhonda is one of the directors of Ragamuffins and also one of the musical directors for The Little Mermaid. She has been with the group since it started 30 years ago. 'We do it because we love it,' the volunteer tells me. She has a very personal connection with the Aberdeen Arts Centre. Its doyen Annie Inglis was her drama lecturer when at Aberdeen University, and she used to come along to weekend workshops with her here. 'I have always been a part of the centre, it's just always been a huge part of my life. I don't know what I would do if something happened to this place. 'We couldn't really put on our shows anywhere else because it's the only venue that can host as many kids as we have. We always get so much support here.' Telling me a bit about the 30th anniversary show, Rhonda says: 'It's going to be bright, theatrical, dramatic, and colourful. We wanted to go all out.' It's become a family tradition, with her 35-year-old son Matthew Walker – an original Ragamuffin – joining her to play bass. With a bit of time to spare before all the youngsters arrive, I head backstage to meet some more volunteers… Shona Smith is on the sewing machine making some final tweaks to the costumes. I can see just how much detail and care goes into making the outfits. Her daughter Brooke, a former Ragamuffin, also volunteers and is helping out in hair and makeup tonight. Just as we are chatting away, two youngsters come up to Shona. She tells me that they started off in 'Minimuffins' and this is their first show in the arts centre. They are pretty excited at making it to the big stage. Shona tells me that she sees the kids grow in confidence as they form friendships. 'It's just that difference you make to kids lives,' she grins. 'It gives them life skills when going into university and jobs. It helps them to do presentations and to stand up in front of people.' Shona fights back tears as I ask her about the venue we are standing in. 'There is not another facility that meets our needs,' she says. 'His Majesty's Theatre would be too big and we wouldn't be able to afford it. Aberdeen Arts Centre is just such a great facility and to lose it would just be tragic.' Looking across the room, I see a table neatly laid out with plastic fish, and a cardboard box stuffed with multi-coloured inflatable guitars. Intrigued to find out more, I speak to Jennifer Brown. Jennifer is in charge of organising these props, and making sure that all the kids have got what they need for when they are on stage. It really is all the little touches that help to bring the show to life. Jennifer has been volunteering with Ragamuffins since it started 30 years ago, when her three-year-old daughter joined. 'It would be really sad to lose the Arts Centre,' Jennifer tells me. Alison Forsyth is the administrator and the treasurer for the organisation. Alison has one daughter in Ragamuffins performing in The Little Mermaid and two granddaughters in the younger Minimuffins section. She too has been part of the the team since it started in 1995, and finds herself a bit emotional speaking about the theatre. 'They are all such good friends and they are a lovely bunch of kids. The older ones who have been here a while even look after the little ones. 'I don't know what we would do if this place wasn't here,' Alison starts to tear up. 'This place is just everything to us really. We really would be lost if this place went.' Time flies by and before I know it I can hear voices echoing down the corridor. I am greeted with smile after smile, the excitement gleaming from their faces, as floods of kids come bundling through the doors. Suddenly the bustling backstage area becomes even more alive. Now it is full steam ahead to get the youngsters settled, warmed up, costumes on, makeup done and hair styled. As the warmup is under way on stage, I get a moment to chat to some of the cast. Daniel tells me he is 'really excited' at playing King Triton. The 14-year-old tells me that he is 'really glad' that he joined Ragamuffins and he has made many of his friends through the group. Aberdeen Arts Centre also means a lot to him. 'I have always performed here and most of my friends perform here too,' Daniel tells me. Ellie Mackenzie, 13, is playing Ariel. She tells me she has 'a lot of fun' up on the stage. The teenager joined Ragamuffins in 2019, when she prowled onto stage in Cats. 'Just being on stage and the whole atmosphere of the lights and everything, I just love it,' Ellie smiles. 'I also come here for my dance shows too, everything about it is so nice.' Aiden Smith, 13, tells me that this is only his second show with Rags. He will also be playing King Triton in different performances. He is busy getting into costume ahead of the dress rehearsal and chats with me as he is transformed into the Sea King. Aiden 'loves seeing everyone's excitement' at times like these. Cath Munro is applying the makeup. She has been with Ragamuffins since the beginning and her 40 year-old daughter was even part of the original group. Once she is finished with her brushes, we go for a chat. Looking out onto the stage, Cath tells me that she was first up there in 1976, the year she left school. 'I don't know where I would be without it, I get quite emotional, because honestly we are so passionate about what we do. 'I see these kids growing up and they just glow on the stage.' Before I know it I am back in the auditorium, but this time all the kids are in character and ready for their final dress rehearsal. As they said backstage 'let's get this show on the road'. I hadn't been planning to stay, but I can't resist delaying my return to the office a tad. I grab a seat near the front of the empty auditorium, sit back and take it all in. You can still grab tickets to see the show this week here. And you can donate to the crowd-funder . The Ragamuffins' Little Mermaid show runs from May 21-24 at Aberdeen Arts Centre.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Rundown' seaside town's £1.8m boost as Butlin's unveils huge transformation
A well-known seaside town in the south of England, which was recently crowned one of the 'worst' in the UK, has welcomed a huge upgrade to its insatiably popular Butlin's resort A once regal seaside town loved by Brits has watched its glitzy reputation slowly wash away. Snuggled on England's south coast in West Sussex, some 70 miles from Central London - lies the coastal town of Bognor Regis. Boasting half a dozen golden sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and a Victorian pier originally built in 1865 - Bognor Regis attracts a whopping four million tourists every single year. Like any quintessential seaside resort, it's filled with all of your staycation essentials: Fish & Chip shops, ice cream vans, arcades, and souvenir shops. But, the town was recently snubbed in Which?'s seaside league tables, where it came joint fourth from last with Burnham-on-Sea. Scoring a measly 47 per cent out of 100, survey participants gave the town just two stars for its beaches, tourist attractions, scenery, and food and drink offerings - and a brutal one-star rating for its pier and range of shops. Bognor Regis, known as one of three UK homes to Butlins, opened its resort back in 1960, during the UK's coastline glory days. It was the third complex to be built in England and reportedly witnessed a staggering 3,000 visitors on the opening day. And just last month, Butlin's announced it had finished a huge £1.8 million upgrade to the resort - helping to bolster tourism in the region. The transformation means Bognor Regis is now home to Butlin's biggest-ever indoor Soft Play centre and Puppet Theatre. Opening in time for the busy Easter half term, the four-storey soft play centre, which is a whopping 3,000 square feet, has the capacity to entertain up to 200 children - while adults can kick back and relax in the new 100-person eating area. The Soft Play centre features new slides, climbing challenges, log ramps, cargo nets, and a multi-sensory area for babies. The Puppet Theatre will put on new shoes for guests, including Under The Sea, Jingle in the Jungle and Christmouse. Jon Hendry Pickup, CEO at Butlin's, said he was 'delighted' to open the Soft Play and Puppet Theatre at Bognor Regis. "Both are included in the price, providing incredible value for our guests," he added. "They have always been popular with guests, and these incredible new spaces are full of personality, just like the Skyline Gang and their performances which are always a standout part of family's breaks." It takes around two hours and 17 minutes to drive to Bognor Regis from London, but direct trains can slash the journey time down to just one and a half hours. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £10. Accommodation in Bognor Regis varies depending on your budget. For example, a weekend's stay (Friday, June 13 -15) at the four-star Beachcroft Hotel will set you back £322, based on two adults sharing. But, the Keedwell Studio Apartments offer a double room on the same nights for just £198. Butlin's offers weekend breaks for the May Half Term for as little as £253.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Party Rings unveil a major change to shape of popular biscuit - so, are you a fan of the new look?
Party Rings have unveiled a major change to the shape of the popular biscuit - for the first time in forty years - and shoppers have already flocked to one supermarket to clear the shelves of them. The kids' party treat now come in fish shape, Fox's Burton's Companies has revealed. In 1983, Party Rings were released and the icing topped shortcake biscuits have proved a hit with kids and adults alike ever since. Since the new announcement, A sda customers has emptied shelves of to get their hands on the Under The Sea Minis. Party Ring fans flocked to social media to share snaps of empty shelves were the new treat is supposed to be. One customer wrote: 'Brand NEW Fox's Party Rings Under The Sea Minis in Bags, either very popular or haven't arrived at our ASDA yet!' Another said: 'Yes same as my store yesterday only they filled them with normal party rings x' Someone else added: 'I was fuming ha ha. I will try again tomorrow x' Meanwhile a fourth said: 'Must look out for these.' Another said: 'Has anyone found any of these in the North West? Hoping to get some to take on a seaside holiday in a few weeks.' Davina Valetti Marketing Controller of Party Rings said: 'Under the Sea Minis is an exciting milestone for the Party Rings brand. 'It's not every day you change something that's been loved for over 40 years – but we think people are going to be pleased what we've done. We're still bringing the party, just with a fun new twist.' The innovation comes as the brand also recently launched a new limited-edition Strawberry flavour. Party Rings Strawberry can be picked up Home Bargains, Farm Foods, Poundland and Iceland for just £0.90 per pack. It comes after B&M has just dropped a game-changing treat that's sending UK snack lovers into a frenzy - and it's an unusual take on two much-loved sweet staples. Imported all the way from Australia, these delectable biscuits are now gracing UK shelves, much to the delight of sweet-toothed Brits. The Cadbury Caramilk Double Stuff Oreos reimagines the classic chocolatey Oreo cookie, but with a twist. Two golden biscuits are sandwich with a caramelised white chocolate crème filling, proving for a more saccharine variant on the beloved delicacy. The melt-in-your-mouth experience is priced at £2.99 for a 131g pack. Shoppers have been taking to social media to express their enthusiasm. On the popular New Foods UK Facebook group, one foodie wrote: 'I don't like Oreos normally, but these I'd try.' Many rushed to give their compliments, dubbing the treats 'absolute must-haves'. 'Best ones yet,' one fan penned. The post racked up more than 2,600 reactions; however, not everyone was as enchanted - with one writing: 'OMG! Go away! I feel my blood sugar levels rising just looking at them.' The buzz is undeniable, with many eager to get their hands on the biscuits. This launch is part of a broader trend of unique snack offerings making their way to the UK. Previously, B&M introduced the Australian-exclusive Cadbury Dairy Milk Lamington bar, which quickly became a fan favourite. Sweet treat fans looking to indulge in something special should head over to the nearest B&M store. But if caramel isn't your style, other flavour variations are sold by the bargain retailer as well, such as Cinnamon Roll, Mint and Neapolitan Double Stuff Oreos, Metro reported.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Asda launches 80s nostalgic sweet treat ‘with a fun new twist' for just £1.50 – and it's perfect for kids' lunchboxes
ASDA is selling a creative take on a nostalgic 80s sweet treat - this time with 'a fun new twist' for just £1.50. For the first time in its 42-year history, Fox's Burton's Companies have changed the design of their classic Party Rings biscuits. The beloved sweet treat, which features a shortcake biscuit topped with colourful icing, offer a great nostalgic snack that originated in the 80s. Now, Asda is selling a unique version of the snack, making it the perfect time to revisit childhood nostalgia. Available in packs of six mini bags for just £1.50, the "Under the Sea Minis," feature fish and star shaped designs with the same great original flavours. Customers were clearly excited about the product launch as they commented on a Facebook post tagging their friends and family asking them to pick up the exciting new design. One customer wrote: "We need these for any future birthday parties." Other commenters expressed their love for the design, as one wrote: "how cute?" and another said: "these are too cute xx" One shopper hoped to buy some in readiness for a seaside holiday, a very fitting snack given their sea-themed shape. 2 Davina Valetti, marketing controller of Party Rings, said about the launch: "Under the Sea minis is an exciting milestone for the Party Rings brand. "It's not every day you change something that's been loved for over 40 years, but we think people are going to be pleased what we've done. Britain's 'most boring snacks' revealed including rice cakes and popcorn - with chocolate making the top three "We're still bringing the party, just with a fun new twist." The mini bags mean that they are a great snack option for kids' lunchboxes, or for adults who want to relive the flavours of their childhood. Other versions of the popular snack have recently launched, including a limited-edition Strawberry flavour. With a pleasing pink icing, these traditionally-shaped full-sized rings are available for just 90p from retailers like Home Bargains, Poundland and Iceland. The classic ring-shaped design is also available in bags of six mini packs, currently just 82p at Asda thanks to their rollback pricing.
