Characters from some of the BBC’s most popular television shows, such as Doctor Who and Sherlock, will feature prominently in a new theme park, planned to open in 2020.
The BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, has signed an agreement with London Resort Holdings, the group behind the £2 billion London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent, which is backed by Paramount Pictures and is planned to open its doors for Easter 2020.
Stephen Davies, Director of Live Events, BBC Worldwide, said:
“We’re always looking for opportunities to extend fans’ enjoyment of their favourite shows and the idea behind this resort is a really exciting way of celebrating the very special place the BBC has in British culture.”
The brands and characters to be included in the theme park are yet to be decided, but with the resort looking to attract foreign tourists as well as Brits brought up on BBC content, it is likely that the BBC programmes that are successful internationally will feature prominently. This would mean that visitors may see rides and simulators featuring Doctor Who and the Daleks, Sherlock Holmes, and the Stig from Top Gear alongside rides focused on movies such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Godfather and The Italian Job.
David Testa, Director of LRCH, commented:
“We are delighted to bring the world’s leading public service broadcaster on board this project. The BBC has played an instrumental role in shaping the British entertainment industry for nearly a century, creating some of the most iconic and cherished characters on TV and radio. It seems only right therefore that its programmes will be present at the new London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which will combine the glamour of Hollywood with the best of British culture.”
