Following many discussions with our contacts at the Alton Towers Resort we are sad to report that last year's event turns out to have been our last.
Since the time that Alton Towers’ owners Merlin Entertainments was taken over by private equity firms, there has been a complete re-evaluation of all areas of their business. The change that affects our booking is that the Splash Landings waterpark is no longer available for private hire as it must be available for guests in all the resort's three hotels and woodland lodges, as well as remaining open to local people. I am told ours is not the only group booking affected.
We looked at every possibility to try and make something work, including after-hours waterpark sessions and even taking over the whole venue, but the layout of the hotels and available space meant that something that balanced being commercially worthwhile for BN and value for money for our guests was not achievable.
The advent of the BN Alton Towers weekend - an invitation from the UK’s biggest and best-known theme park for a nude weekend - marked a landmark in the history of BN and Naturism in the UK, also having a positive effect on the perception of our community. We took our first tentative steps there in 2006 and are delighted to have been able to enjoy all those years since. The event has grown in quality and popularity throughout and we will be sad to see it go.
On a more positive note we have been able to secure a new venue for The Gathering in Stirling for October and we are be hosting Blackpool Rocks! A one-off illuminations party weekender over what would have been the Alton Towers November dates.