The proposed Camel Creek development in north Cornwall would create 1,000 permanent jobs, it is being claimed.
The founder of Alton Towers, John Broome, acquired Crealy Great Adventure Park near Wadebridge last September, together with 200 acres of adjoining farm land, with plans to turn it into a “premier European resort”.
He says that should the resort be given the go-ahead by planners, it will become a 12-months a year, 24/7 operation, needing three shifts for many positions as well as holiday and sickness cover.
He said: “We already have two general managers. One to look after the adventure park and one to control the development and running of the rest of the resort.
“From our full opening of the adventure park in the spring we will begin steps towards dramatically increasing the number of permanent staff in this re-vamped facility over the next three years.
“There are two reasons for this – we want to offer world-class standards of customer support and safety and, with many of the rides and attractions getting either all weather covering or being placed inside buildings, we need more staff to operate them effectively.
“All the jobs outlined here are permanent although we may have a need for a small number of additional workers at absolute peak season.”
Planning and development consultancy, Pegasus Group, has identified 955 permanent jobs before additional activities such as croquet, bowls, lawn games and country pursuits are included.
Broome added: “I think it is easy to see that the total will be well over 1,000 by the time the resort is fully operational.
“In the leisure industry we normally expect that for every employee on site there will be two people employed nearby supplying our daily needs.
“We firmly intend to have a default ‘buy local’ sourcing policy for local produce such as milk, cheese, meat and Cornish wine. Local attractions, restaurateurs, taxi drivers and bar staff will also feel the Camel Creek effect. Buying locally isn’t just a “feel-good” factor it makes commercial sense to take advantage of the outstanding local produce.
“Add into that the number of tertiary employees providing bed and board for the large number of people who will want to visit the adventure park, but not stay at Camel Creek, and it’s fair to say that the economic benefit of the development to the local area will be considerable.”
Broome says 250 people will eventually be employed at the adventure park – more than three times last year’s peak season total. Around the resort there will be 57 employees in the tropical pool when it opens, 142 in food and beverage, 66 in the convention centre, 90 in maintenance and 85 in cleaning.
“Inevitably in a resort of this stature and quality a large number of these jobs will be managerial and supervisory,” said Broome. “We will be engaging with careers advisors at local schools and universities and wherever possible we will be both buying from local organisations and employing local people.”
