Theme park hoping to be UK's best says its still 'successful' despite £760k loss

A major has insisted it remains a successful and bosses are still aiming to ensure it become's the country's number one despite a huge hit to its profits. Annual accounts revealed in February that Drayton Manor in Staffordshire suffered a £619,303 hit to its profit after for the financial year ending on September 30, 2024. Accountants concluded that, in 2023, the park made £1,459,080. But, in 2024, this fell to £839,777. This was the fourth year in a row that the business has seen a drop.

Pre-tax, the venue made £1,244,140 in 2024 and £2,003,240 in 2023. This was £759,100 less. It comes as the park celebrates 75 years of operation this year, and the attraction will be rolling out a pay-per-ride system. After being opened by George and Vera Bryan in 1950, Drayton Manor is nowadays known for its 50 family-friendly offerings, as well as Thomas Land. It opened Shockwave, the UK's first standing coaster, in 1988.

In 2000, Apocalypse, a 54-meter-high freefall tower ride, was opened. It was closed in 2022.

The park was taken over by the Looping Group in August 2020 and is led by Victoria Lynn.

Guests can look back at its history in a new museum, containing more than 200 newly released photos, artefacts and iconic moments.

But bosses have admitted that the theme park sector faces "ongoing challenges", such as increasing operational costs.

Venues have also had to budget for increases in employees' National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage, measures introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.

Those changes kicked in at the beginning of this month.

A spokesperson for Drayton Manor told the Express: "Drayton Manor is a profitable and successful business. As with many other UK companies, we face ongoing challenges including rising operational costs.

"However, through careful management and with continued support and investment from our new owners, Drayton Manor remains focused on becoming Britain's number one family theme park, offering our visitors a day of epic fun for decades to come."