First businesses chosen to help create UK’s next generation theme park

Three British firms, Electrosonic, Garmendale and Katapult, have today been unveiled as the first businesses to be chosen by The London Resort to help create the UK’s first, next generation theme park.

65 other businesses, over half of which are British, have been advised that they are in the running to work on what is billed as one of the most ambitious leisure projects to be undertaken in the UK and Europe.

It is the first and crucial phase of a business registration process that began over a month ago, when nearly 2000 businesses registered their interest in being part of this unique project. The initial businesses being contacted could all have an important role to play in moving the London Resort from conceptual design to concept refinement and schematic design.

PY Gerbeau, CEO of London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) stresses the door is still well and truly open for more businesses to register.

“It is a day to celebrate British innovation and technological wizardry,” commented PY. “Electrosonic, Katapult and Garmendale are all leaders in their fields and together we are on a journey to create our own slice of history by building the UK’s first next generation theme park. But turning our vision into reality will be complicated.

“We will be the first theme park across Europe, to be built from scratch in nearly 30 years. We will be one of the only operationally carbon neutral parks in the world. And with our investment in sustainability and the environment, we will be beacon of what can be achieved when the environment, commerce and entertainment flourish together, hand in hand.  To make that vision a reality, we will only work with the best of the best that industry has to offer and today marks the first day of that exciting journey ahead.”

The formal registration process began over a month ago when The London Resort called for businesses to register their interest in becoming a supplier. Nearly 2,000 businesses have registered so far, 30% of which are local, based in Kent and Essex. 90% are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), putting it on track to exceed the Government’s target that £1 in every £3 is spent with SMEs.

PY was keen to stress that the door is still open to businesses wanting to register their interests.  “To all the naysayers and doom-mongers, the London Resort is going ahead, as planned,” he continued. “To all businesses who believe they can play a part in creating a world of unique experiences, I encourage you to go to our website now, register your details and together we will create our footnote in history.”

Commenting on the announcement, Gavin Cleary, CEO, Locate in Kent, the inward investment agency for Kent and Medway, said,”The tremendous response from our local supply chain firms shows what an important driver the London Resort will be for our region, and confirms Kent is a vibrant, reliable, and cost-effective place for major construction projects. We have the skills, the talent pool, the innovations, and the appetite to make a positive contribution to the project.”

The three businesses unveiled at blooloop’s V-Expo 2021 are all firms well known and highly respected in their fields.

Dartford-based Electrosonic, was founded above a Greenwich greengrocers in 1964. Early on, Electrosonic designed and manufactured lighting and audiovisual control systems to create exciting experiences and concerts for groups such as “Pink Floyd,” “Genesis,” “The Rolling Stones,” and “The Who” to name a few.

Now it is internationally recognised for applying its audiovisual and technology services to create out-of- this world experiences at some of the most recognised attractions worldwide, including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi.  Electrosonic provided complete parkwide audio and video and show control solutions for the world’s first-ever Warner Bros. branded theme park, including helping to create what is believed to be the “biggest permanent projection-mapped show in the world”.

Commenting on the partnership, Paul Taylor, Senior Consultant, Electrosonic, said, “It’s fantastic news for us and a brilliant project to be part of from such an early stage.  As a company that is involved with many of the most iconic themed entertainment brands and attractions around the globe it is a real thrill to have an opportunity of working on such an exciting project here in the UK and right on our doorstep.  We are really looking forward to being part of the team that will deliver this iconic attraction as the project starts to build real momentum.”

Derbyshire based Garmendale Engineering is a second-generation, family-owned and run business, founded in 1980. Situated on the edge of the Peak District, it is recognised as a world leader in the manufacture of theme park ride systems. It has established working relationships with some of the largest and most successful theme park operators in the world such as Universal Studios, Merlin Entertainments and Parques Reunidos Group.

Commenting on the opportunity to work with the London Resort, Commercial  Director of Garmendale, Zoe Shelmerdine, said, “Garmendale is absolutely thrilled to be part of what will be a truly exciting and revolutionary project. It will be a huge asset to the UK and will allow the “best of British” talent to attract a global audience to the UK. This will hopefully put the UK back on the world attraction map and it is exactly what our industry deserves after a challenging 18 months.“

International themed attraction designers, Katapult, was established in 2001 and started with a business loan from The Princes Trust. Based in Derby City Centre, the team is headed by Dawn Foote, Co-Founder & CEO, and Philip Higgins, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer. Katapult works with the likes of The LEGO® Group, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros and BBC. Their work is enjoyed by 50 million visitors, at over 81 attractions, in 20 different countries.

Commenting on the announcement, Co-Founder and CEO of Katapult, Dawn Foote, said, “We are incredibly excited to be working with The London Resort team on this iconic project here in the UK. As experienced themed attraction designers, we understand what it takes to create immersive experiences that wow and inspire visitors. We’re looking forward to working with PY and the team to do just that, and create a next generation theme park our country will enjoy and be proud of.”