Britain’s fourth-largest theme park has been sold after it entered administration.
Drayton Manor, which had been in the ownership of the Bryan family since its opening some 70 years ago, has been bought by Looping Group, which operates attractions across Europe.
The 280-acre theme park and zoological site, located in Staffordshire, had filed for administration with two major entertainment operators vying for control of its assets.
The park operation has been under considerable pressure long before the current health crisis forced the site to temporarily close, with reports suggesting a loss of over £1.8m during the fiscal year ending in 2019.
Looping Group is a European regional theme park and resort owner with some 15 venues dotted across the mainland. Nottingham-based Mellors Group, specialist in theme parks and attraction operation and facility business, had initially appeared to have the more advanced bid, with the operation forming Drayton Manor Operations Limited during July.
Around 600 jobs have been protected by the purchase, according to administrators.
