Cash-strapped park appoints new fundraising boss

A popular theme park which started an appeal last month to safeguard its future has appointed a new head of fundraising.

Allison Waterhouse is leading a team at Wicksteed Park in Northamptonshire which has been set up using a £250,000 lottery grant.

Visitors have always had to pay for rides, but the park's owners say free access to the grounds and parkland may have to be restricted unless more cash is found.

Ms Waterhouse said she wanted to make sure "the park is there for future generations".

Wicksteed Park was founded in 1921, and although users have to pay to use its rides, the public have always had free access to 147 acres of parkland.

It struggled during the Covid pandemic lockdown and went into administration in June 2020.

Last month, the charitable trust that owns the venue started an appeal to raise enough money to keep the park in its present form.

The chairman of the trust, Oliver Wicksteed, said: "The trust has invested millions in recent years to try to secure a sustainable future but ultimately this is a private park which needs a great deal of money to maintain if we are to continue to open for people to use free of charge."

Ms Waterhouse, who started work this week, said she had visited the park with her parents as a child.

"I am thrilled to be joining the team at Wicksteed Park and I'm looking forward to working with the local community to ensure the park is there for future generations to enjoy," she said.

People posting on social media in recent weeks have said the park needs better management and should host more special events.

Ms Waterhouse said: "Hopefully people can see that we are listening to what they have got to say... where possible, we will consider their feedback and suggestions in our future planning and activities.

"The new Fundraising Team aims to generate income over the coming months and years."

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