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Skip the Queue

Rubber Cheese

Skip the Queue is for visitor attraction owners, directors and suppliers who want to improve their organisations and deliver a better experience for their guests. Each episode we speak with inspiring industry experts who share their knowledge of what really makes an attraction successful.

This podcast is brought to you by Merac. We're here to help attractions unlock growth with innovative solutions, expert insights, and customer-first strategies.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S8 · E7
    September 24 · 26 min

    A Zoo, a Soft Play and a Trampoline Park: From the Warehouse Floor to the Chair with Cassie Poland

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey is joined by Cassie Poland, Joint Managing Director of Drusillas Park, to discuss the story behind a family-run attraction that has evolved from a tea cottage into a zoo and ride park. Cassie shares her journey from working across the park to leading the business with her family, as well as the challenges of running multiple types of attractions across three sites. They also explore Cassie’s role in BALPPA, becomi

  • S8 · E7
    September 23 · 34 min

    From Bird Gardens to Britain's Best-Rated Theme Park: The Independent That Out-Rated the Giants with Richard Mancey

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Laura Baxter is joined by Richard Mancey, Owner and Managing Director of Paultons Park, to explore the story behind one of the UK’s most successful independent theme parks. Richard shares how Paultons grew from a country park and bird gardens into a 140-acre theme park, the impact of launching the world’s first Peppa Pig World, and the thinking behind major investments such as Valgard: Realm of the Vikings. This episode also

  • S8 · E6
    September 23 · 24 min

    What Happens When Live Theatre Takes On the Attractions Industry with Anna Warnecke

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey is joined by Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren and 11Arches, to explore an attraction unlike any other in the UK. Anna shares the story behind Kynren, its spectacular open-air night show performed by around 1,000 local volunteers, and the newly opened Kynren: The Storied Lands. They discuss what happens when live theatre and immersive experiences meet the attractions industry, including the challenges of managing capac

  • S8 · E5
    September 23 · 27 min

    A Theme Park, a Festival Site and a Film Set: How Dreamland Stopped Being Just an Amusement Park with Eddie Kemsley

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey is joined by Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland Margate, to discuss how one of the UK’s oldest amusement parks has reinvented itself. Eddie shares how Dreamland has expanded beyond rides into live music, events, weddings and film productions, and how diversification has shaped the business and its role in Margate’s revival. The episode also explores heritage, the attractions community and what the future could hold f

  • S8 · E4
    September 22 · 47 min

    From a Model Village to Four Resorts: The Only Family Business Running a Theme Park Chain with Julie Dalton

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Laura Baxter is joined by Julie Dalton, Managing Director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, to talk about the story behind the UK’s only multi-site family-owned theme park group. Julie shares how Gulliver’s grew from a model village in 1978 into four resorts, the challenges of opening Gulliver’s Valley during the pandemic, and what it takes to run a growing theme park business without a corporate parent. This episode also ex

  • S8 · E3
    September 22 · 34 min

    From the Big Top to the Seafront: A Lifetime on the Same Patch of Sand with Gary Smart

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Laura Baxter is joined by Gary Smart BEM, Chairman of Harbour Park in Littlehampton, to reflect on a lifetime in the UK attractions industry. Gary shares the story of his family’s journey from the circus to the seaside, the transformation of the park into Harbour Park, and the challenges of running an independent coastal attraction. Gary also talks about his decades of involvement with BALPPA, how the industry has changed, a

  • S8 · E2
    September 22 · 37 min

    Sustaining a Family Attraction on a Small Budget with Debs Griffin

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Laura Baxter is joined by Debs Griffin, Director of Sundown Adventureland, to explore the story behind one of the UK’s best-known independent family attractions. Debs shares how the family-run park has remained independent for 58 years, balancing nostalgia and tradition with the challenges of running a modern attraction on a lean budget. This episode also explores family ownership, staying independent, adapting to changing v

  • S8 · E1
    September 22 · 28 min

    Ninety Years of British Attractions: Paul Kelly on BALPPA’s Past, Present and Next 90

    As part of Skip the Queue’s mini-series celebrating 90 years of BALPPA, Andy Povey and Laura Baxter are joined by BALPPA Chief Executive Paul Kelly to look back at the organisation’s history, its role in supporting and representing the UK attractions industry, and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future. The series continues with conversations featuring the people and businesses shaping the UK attractions industry, exploring their stories, experiences and perspectives on the future o

  • September 22 · 11 min

    BALPPA at 90: The Stories Behind the Attractions

    Skip the Queue teams up with BALPPA to celebrate 90 years of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions. Andy Povey and co-host Laura Baxter speak to some of the people behind the UK’s best-known attractions, sharing stories, memories and insights into how the industry has evolved and where it could be heading next.

  • S7 · E46
    September 11 · 18 min

    What Makes a Great Attraction? The Winners Have Their Say

    In this special episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey speaks to the winners of the UK Theme Park Awards in Blackpool to discover what makes a truly great attraction. From storytelling and guest experience to innovation, technology and the people behind the scenes, hear directly from some of the UK's best attractions about what creates memorable visitor experiences and where the industry is heading next.

  • S7 · E42
    August 12 · 40 min

    Are suppliers the backbone of the industry? with Stephen Reid

    This week, Andy Povey is joined by Stephen Reid, Director of Attraction Brand Consultants, to explore the often-overlooked role suppliers play in shaping the future of our industry. They discuss why the best attractions are built through collaboration, what separates a supplier from a true innovation partner, and where the next generation of ideas is likely to come from.

  • S7 · E41
    July 29 · 32 min

    How Queer Britain Tripled Visitor Donations Through Pay What You Can with Andrew Given

    Andy Povey is joined by Andrew Given, CEO of Queer Britain, to discuss how the UK's national LGBTQ+ museum tripled visitor donations by introducing a Pay What You Can admission model. They explore museum fundraising, accessibility, visitor engagement, donor psychology, storytelling, innovation, and practical lessons that visitor attractions can apply to create more inclusive and financially sustainable experiences.

  • S7 · E40
    July 22 · 26 min

    What Makes an Award-Winning Theme Park? With Lawrence Roots

    In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots, Founder of Theme Park Network, to explore what makes an award-winning theme park. With voting now open for the UK Theme Park Awards, Lawrence discusses this year's nominees, emerging trends across the UK attractions sector and what separates a good day out from a truly outstanding visitor experience. He also shares insights from his ambitious Guinness World Record attempt to visit every nominated UK theme park in the shor

  • S7 · E39
    July 15 · 45 min

    The UK VAT Cut for Attractions: Pass Savings to Guests or Invest in Growth? with Clive Morris

    Today we’re going to be talking about sums. Andy Povey is joined by Clive Morris, the founder of CCM Consulting. Clive has held some very senior roles in a number of attractions across the world. As a qualified accountant, he bridges the gap between finance and operations in an uncommon way. They talk about the recent change to VAT for attractions in the UK and what information attractions should make sure they capture now to support the ongoing campaign for changes to VAT across leisure and ho

  • S7 · E38
    July 8 · 34 min

    Boost your bottom line: Understanding Dynamic Pricing with Adriaan van der Hek

    In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Adriaan Van Der Hek to unpack one of the visitor attraction industry's most debated topics: dynamic pricing. They discuss how dynamic pricing has evolved, why it's become an essential commercial strategy, and how attractions can use pricing, demand forecasting and customer behaviour to increase revenue while improving the guest experience.

  • S7 · E37
    July 1 · 34 min

    Creating Tomorrow's Attractions: Inside Three Major 2026 Launches - Lawrence Mancey, James Cox, Hogne Høstmælingen and Guest Host Owen Ralph

    In this Summer Special of Skip the Queue, guest host Owen Ralph is joined by three theme park operators for a closer look at their new attractions for 2026. Lawrence Mancey discusses Paultons Park’s new viking realm Valgard, and also the UK’s park’s accommodation plans. Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s James Cox spotlights the awesome Aviktas thrill ride and long-running Hot Ice show. Meanwhile Hogne Høstmælingen from Hunderfossen in Norway tells us about the new Rally Flåklypa dark ride and the worki

  • S7 · E36
    June 24 · 37 min

    Inside Arcade Arena: Building the World’s New Live Gaming Experience - Matt Stubbs

    In this episode of Skip the Queue, Andy Povey is joined by Matt Stubbs, Creative Director at Little Lion Entertainment, to explore the rise of live video game attractions and the launch of Arcade Arena London. They discuss how gaming, technology, storytelling and live competition are coming together to create entirely new forms of location-based entertainment. Matt shares the journey from immersive experiences like Crystal Maze and Pac-Man Live to Arcade Arena, offering insights into innovation,

  • S7 · E35
    June 17 · 42 min

    Universal Is Coming: What Does It Mean for the Future of UK Attractions? - Duncan Phillips

    In this episode, Andy Povey is joined by Duncan Phillips, Founder and Managing Director of DP Leisure and DP Associates, the team behind 360 Play. They explore the potential impact of one of the biggest developments in the UK attractions sector: Universal's proposed destination resort in the UK, and what it could mean for the wider visitor economy. What opportunities could a major destination resort create? How can existing attractions position themselves as part of a broader visitor journey? A

  • S7 · E34
    June 3 · 30 min

    The Weather Forecast Debate Every Attraction Is Talking About - Rob Comley and Simon Townsend with Guest Host, Olly Reed

    In this episode of Skip the Queue, guest host Olly Reed from Navigate is joined by Rob Comley of Chester Zoo and Simon Townsend of the Eden Project to discuss the growing impact of weather forecasting apps on visitor attractions. They discuss Chester Zoo's industry-backed campaign to improve weather forecast presentation, the impact of weather perception on attendance, and what attractions can do to help visitors make more informed decisions about their days out.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes