Batstone’s ‘day job’ is as executive chairman of HB Leisure, which supplies and runs games at many of the UK’s top parks, and beyond. He also runs an attraction in North Wales, where HB is headquartered.

During the AGM, John Bollom, from the Amusement Equipment Company in South Wales, was elected as BALPPA’s new vice-chairman. Batstone’s role as chairman lasts two years.

In his report on the previous year’s activities, David Cam noted that despite recent visitor figures published by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), which were typically upbeat, 2006 had been a difficult year for many BALPPA member. The closures of Pleasureland in Southport and the American Adventure were two of the most extreme examples. He noted, however, that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” and BALPPA was strengthening its efforts for further recognition of its sector of the tourism industry in political circles and elsewhere.

“The last year has seen BALPPA rise in stature as a credible trade association both politically and amongst our peer group,” he said, revealing details of some of the work he and BALPPA chief executive Colin Dawson had carried out with members of the Government.

Cam also highlighted BALPPA’s success in securing a suitable Compensation Act, as well as informing members of other issues the association continues to work on, including a reduction in the levels of VAT for operators, an increase in trading hours by virtue of an Energy Saving (Daylight) Act and containment of the costs of licensing amusement arcades. And he stressed that work would continue in areas relating to Heritage Lottery Funding and other grant aid sources, from which members do not currently benefit.

In bowing down, Cam said it had been “an enormous privilege” to be BALPPA chairman and thanked several members who had been involved in his passage to the position. Among these were the Thompson family at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, who had allowed him the time to take up the role, and Colin Dawson.

As usual, the AGM was followed by BALPPA’s annual parliamentary lunch, to which members of the House of Commons and other government officials were invited. On this occasion, 30 MPs and fellow guests attended.

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