The BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed a landmark deal with Paramount to open a huge BBC theme park.
The development will transform an 872-acre brownfield site on the Swanscombe peninsula in western Kent, near London, and be twice the size of the Olympic Park in East London. It will feature Europe’s largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event space and hotels. Allied to the project will be a training academy for the entertainment and hospitality sectors, a new country park, a large science and education visitor complex and "the biggest performing arts centre in Europe".
The theme park, which will be known as the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, will have games and rides based on globally popular BBC shows such as Top Gear and Doctor Who and could rival Disneyland Paris (the British duff the Frogs up again).
BBC theme park featuring Doctor Who and Top Gear set to open in 2020
The corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed a landmark deal with Paramount to open a theme park scheduled for 2020
The London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which is currently earmarked for an Easter 2020 opening date Photo: Paramount/BBC
By Anita Singh
10 Dec 2014
The Telegraph
Hollywood-on-Thames: Movie giant Paramount is involved in the plans
A BBC theme park is to open in Britain with games and rides based on its most popular shows.
Doctor Who and Top Gear are among the brands that could be exploited.
The corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed a landmark deal with London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the multi-billion pound London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent which is scheduled to open in 2020.
BBC programmes and characters will feature prominently in the entertainment resort alongside Paramount properties.
Stephen Davies, Director of Live Events, BBC Worldwide, said: "We’re always looking for opportunities to extend fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows and the idea behind this resort is a really exciting way of celebrating the very special place the BBC has in British culture.”
The scheme is supported by Dartford and Gravesham borough councils. Popular BBC shows such as Doctor Who and Top Gear will feature prominently in the entertainment resort, as well as popular Paramount shows such as Star Trek (above)
David Testa, Director of LRCH, said: "We are delighted to bring the world's leading public service broadcaster on board this project.
"The BBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the British entertainment industry for nearly a century, creating some of the most iconic and cherished characters on TV and radio.
"It seems only right therefore that its programmes will be present at the new London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture."
Brownfield: This will be the next hot European leisure destination
The ambitious resort will be located in the Swanscombe peninsula next to the Thames in Kent, currently a brownfield site
An artist's impression of the London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent, which will have games and rides based on globally popular BBC shows such as Top Gear and Doctor Who and popular Paramount shows such as Star Trek
Best of British: Doctor Who (above) and Top Gear (below)
BBC to open theme park to exploit Doctor Who and Top Gear brands - Telegraph
The development will transform an 872-acre brownfield site on the Swanscombe peninsula in western Kent, near London, and be twice the size of the Olympic Park in East London. It will feature Europe’s largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event space and hotels. Allied to the project will be a training academy for the entertainment and hospitality sectors, a new country park, a large science and education visitor complex and "the biggest performing arts centre in Europe".
The theme park, which will be known as the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, will have games and rides based on globally popular BBC shows such as Top Gear and Doctor Who and could rival Disneyland Paris (the British duff the Frogs up again).
BBC theme park featuring Doctor Who and Top Gear set to open in 2020
The corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed a landmark deal with Paramount to open a theme park scheduled for 2020
The London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which is currently earmarked for an Easter 2020 opening date Photo: Paramount/BBC
By Anita Singh
10 Dec 2014
The Telegraph
Hollywood-on-Thames: Movie giant Paramount is involved in the plans
A BBC theme park is to open in Britain with games and rides based on its most popular shows.
Doctor Who and Top Gear are among the brands that could be exploited.
The corporation's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed a landmark deal with London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), the company behind the multi-billion pound London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent which is scheduled to open in 2020.
BBC programmes and characters will feature prominently in the entertainment resort alongside Paramount properties.
Stephen Davies, Director of Live Events, BBC Worldwide, said: "We’re always looking for opportunities to extend fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows and the idea behind this resort is a really exciting way of celebrating the very special place the BBC has in British culture.”
The scheme is supported by Dartford and Gravesham borough councils. Popular BBC shows such as Doctor Who and Top Gear will feature prominently in the entertainment resort, as well as popular Paramount shows such as Star Trek (above)
David Testa, Director of LRCH, said: "We are delighted to bring the world's leading public service broadcaster on board this project.
"The BBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the British entertainment industry for nearly a century, creating some of the most iconic and cherished characters on TV and radio.
"It seems only right therefore that its programmes will be present at the new London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture."
Brownfield: This will be the next hot European leisure destination
The ambitious resort will be located in the Swanscombe peninsula next to the Thames in Kent, currently a brownfield site
An artist's impression of the London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent, which will have games and rides based on globally popular BBC shows such as Top Gear and Doctor Who and popular Paramount shows such as Star Trek
Best of British: Doctor Who (above) and Top Gear (below)
BBC to open theme park to exploit Doctor Who and Top Gear brands - Telegraph
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