Andy Povey is joined by Lawrence Roots to explore the growing importance of the UK Theme Park Awards and why they matter to operators across the visitor attraction industry. Lawrence shares how the awards recognise excellence across parks of all sizes, combine expert judging with public voting, and help raise standards across the sector. They also talk about the emerging trends in the UK theme park industry, the value of consistency and creativity, and practical advice for operators looking to create award-winning guest experiences.

Topics Discussed

The origins and evolution of the UK Theme Park Awards
How public voting and expert judging combine to decide winners
Why awards matter for marketing, recognition and team motivation
The role of creativity, consistency and guest experience in judging
New award categories, including Rising Star and Outstanding Achievement
Trends shaping the UK theme park industry in 2026
Major upcoming projects and investments across UK parks
Why smaller operators can compete alongside major brands
The importance of understanding audience needs
Practical ways attractions can improve experiences without large budgets
Why investing in people is as important as investing in attraction

Show references:

Lawrence Roots, Founder of UK Theme Park Awards

Nominations for the UK Theme Park Awards 2026 are now open. Register to make nominations and vote in the UK Theme Park Awards.

https://www.ukthemeparkawards.com/register

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Credits:
Written by Emily Burrows (Plaster)
Edited by Steve Folland
Produced by Emily Burrows and Sami Entwistle (Plaster)

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