Blackpool Council has selected Merlin Entertainments to manage Sandcastle Waterpark, the UK’s largest indoor water park.
Sandcastle Waterpark will join Merlin’s growing portfolio of attractions in Blackpool, including the Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and Sea Life Blackpool.
Merlin will serve as the managing agent for the council-owned water park, taking over daily operations. The management contract is provisionally for a two-year period.
It is part of Merlin’s strategy to establish clusters of family-friendly attractions in key locations. It follows the opening of a new Peter Rabbit-themed attraction in Blackpool.
“The Sandcastle Waterpark is one of the council’s big success stories,” says Blackpool Council leader Lynn Williams.
“Over the years, it has received significant investment to enable it to retain and grow its immense popularity with visitors and residents alike.”
Williams said the water park is “viewed as an exemplar attraction in terms of its accessibility for people with a disability”.
“We have an established relationship with Merlin Entertainments in terms of operating some of our key tourism assets and we are confident that this appointment will take the Sandcastle Waterpark on to the next level,” she added.
UK’s largest indoor water park
In Blackpool, Merlin now operates the Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds Blackpool, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, Sea Life Blackpool, Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play, and the Sandcastle Waterpark.
“With eight top attractions already in Blackpool, we’re excited to put on our armbands and add a ninth to our guest offering,” adds Kate Shane, regional director for Merlin Entertainments.
“We firmly support Blackpool’s ambition to be the UK’s number one family seaside resort and this partnership is another step forward in delivering this vision.”
Merlin has also announced plans to open a new Legoland Resort in Belgium by 2027. The destination would be built on a former Caterpillar industrial site in Charleroi.
Images: Merlin
