July 2009
Owner and Chief Executive Fred Story said that he believed the brown field site was ideally placed for a residential led mixed use development and would be entering into a dialogue with Chorley Borough Council to agree the development potential of the site.
Story Group have agreed to lease the park to Knights Leisure which is headed up by Roy Page, the former Chief Executive and Mark Leader, the former Operations Director of Camelots previous owners, Prime Resorts. This agreement will enable the park to resume its operations in the short term allowing it to continue its role as a tourist attraction for the region and securing up to15 full time jobs and 150 seasonal jobs in the area.
Fred Story stated “The decision to open the park was not an easy one. We are having to make a substantial investment in Knights Leisure to facilitate the re-launch of the park.
It is evident, as recently demonstrated by the park going into receivership, that unfortunately the financial performance of the park can by no means be guaranteed. This is a significant risk and represents a major investment in the area.
The re-opening of the park is however an interim measure until we secure planning permission for an alternative use. I look forward to meeting with local Councillors and Chorley Borough Council to discuss proposals for the future use of the site”.
The acquisition of this site, along with the recent opening of a Preston office, is a clear sign of Story Groups intentions to grow via the acquisition of strategic land and major development sites in Cumbria, the North of England, central and southern Scotland.
Fred added “Story Group has been built on solid foundations, having experienced strong, yet sustainable growth for over twenty years and we have a very strong future. Although times are generally tougher in the construction industry at present we are still holding our own and housing sales remain steady. The strength of our Group allows us to take advantages of opportunities when they arise and we are aggressively pursuing land acquisitions throughout Scotland and the north of England.”
Story Group has been established since 1987 and last year won the Daily Mail UK Property Award for Best Housing Development in Cumbria (Turnstone Park) and the Daily Mail UK Property Award for Best Housing Development in Dumfries and Galloway (Summerpark).
Fred Story is the former owner of Carlisle United and his four year tenure of the club saw them rise from the Conference League in 2003 to the play-off semi-finals against Leeds United in League 1 in 2008.
