News release

Drayton Manor Theme Park celebrates after scooping two award nominations

Drayton Manor Theme Park, one of the UK’s most popular day-out destinations for the young and young at heart, has been shortlisted for two Family Business of the Year Awards 2015.

The Staffordshire based attraction has been nominated in two categories, Midlands Family Business of the Year and Hotel & Leisure Family Business of the Year. The awards were created to celebrate the UK family business sector, to recognise the diversity of family firms across the country and to celebrate the contribution that they make. Both these awards will be judged by way of a judging panel.

These prestigious accolades are open to family firms of all different sizes that use their family nature and values to build successful businesses and represent great ambassadors for the sector, something that Drayton Manor does very well.

Colin Bryan, CEO of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said; “We are extremely honoured to be nominated for these two fantastic awards. It is really great to get recognition for being a family business, which we definitely pride ourselves on here at Drayton Manor Theme Park, as we’ve been family run since the day we opened in 1950. These nominations are testament to the hard working team we have here at the park who are dedicated to providing a fun day out for the whole family to enjoy.”

Best UK Attraction for Children Drayton Manor Theme Park proudly supports Group Leisure Awards 2010 JDRF and Walk to Cure Diabetes www.jdrf.org.uk

As a result of being nominated for these two awards, Drayton Manor has also been put up for the People’s Choice Award, which is determined by a public vote. To view all nominees and to cast your vote, please visit http://www.familybusinessunited.com/resources/family-business-of-the-year- regions/midlands-and-east-anglia/.

The winners will be crowned at the awards evening which will take place on 11th June 2015 at London’s luxurious May Fair Hotel.

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s 2015 season runs from Saturday 21st March until Sunday 1st November, with the 65th anniversary Firework Spectacular weekend taking place on the 31st October and 1st November. The park is also open for its established award- winning Magical Christmas event on selected dates from 21 Nov – 31 Dec.

To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1960. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance. For regular updates and news about Drayton Manor Theme Park join us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Draytonmanor and Facebook www.facebook.com/DraytonManorPark.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor About Drayton Manor Drayton Manor Theme Park Ltd, opened to the public in 1950 by the Bryan family, is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. George and Vera Bryan OBE, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to Sir Robert Peel Bart; MP & PM to Queen Victoria and his family, into today’s wonderful multi award-winning family attraction, combining thrill rides with a conservation zoo plus catering and conference facilities.

Today, Drayton Manor Theme Park, still family owned and run by second and third generation family members, covers 286 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside and features some of the wildest and scariest rides around. Rides include: Roller-Coasters - Shock-wave, Ben 10 and G-force. Major rides: Maelstrom, Apocalypse and Storm Force 10, our wettest ride. It is home to the hugely popular Thomas Land™ featuring many

Best UK Attraction for Children Drayton Manor Theme Park proudly supports Group Leisure Awards 2010 JDRF and Walk to Cure Diabetes www.jdrf.org.uk

named Thomas & Friends™ character rides for the children and adults alike. Thomas Land™ at Drayton Manor is the only one of its kind in Europe. The park’s 152 seat 4D Cinema and over 50 rides and attractions makes for a truly unforgettable day.

A four-star Hotel onsite featuring 150 rooms includes Thomas & Friends™ themed rooms all sleeping 4 to 6 guests, family rooms, executive rooms and presidential suites. It also features two well stocked bars, two sublime restaurants, a relaxing lounge, large conference room for functions and exhibitions as well as an idyllic wedding facility for up to 400 guests.

A popular Grill Inn Steak Restaurant and bar adjacent to the hotel which seats up to 150 guests is open all year round. www.draytonmanor.co.uk www.draytonmanorhotel.co.uk www.draytonmanorgrillinn.co.uk www.draytonmanorevent.co.uk

About HIT Entertainment HIT Entertainment is one of the world's leading preschool entertainment companies, specializing in building powerful brands based on engaging stories. HIT Entertainment’s world-class portfolio includes Thomas & Friends®, Mike the Knight™, Fireman Sam®, Bob the Builder, Barney®, Angelina Ballerina®, Pingu® and Rainbow Magic®.

HIT Entertainment excels at creating and building globally successful brands which capture the hearts and imaginations of preschoolers and their families. This is achieved through exceptional storytelling in multiple formats, enhanced by creating high quality character-based products and experiences with best-in-class partners. HIT Entertainment’s lines of business span television and home entertainment production, content distribution, digital media, publishing, consumer products and live events and attractions. HIT Entertainment is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. For more information visit www.hitentertainment.com

About Thomas & Friends™ was created by a father for his son 69 years ago and today is enjoyed by families in more than 185 territories and in 30 languages. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train

Best UK Attraction for Children Drayton Manor Theme Park proudly supports Group Leisure Awards 2010 JDRF and Walk to Cure Diabetes www.jdrf.org.uk

and the words of a story. Children embark on adventures with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends makes tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS®, Sprout® and on Five’s Milkshake! and Nick Jr in the UK and on CCTV in China. Downloadable episodes are available through iTunes. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com.

Best UK Attraction for Children Drayton Manor Theme Park proudly supports Group Leisure Awards 2010 JDRF and Walk to Cure Diabetes www.jdrf.org.uk