Paramount Studios pull out of deal to build a £3.5billion theme park in Kent dubbed ‘UK’s Disneyland’
Paramount film studios was set to inspire 50-themed attractions inside the park, scheduled to open in 2022
A HUGE £3.5billion theme park that is being dubbed “the UK’s Disneyland” has suffered a massive setback after Paramount Pictures suddenly pulled out of the project.
Paramount film studios, who make Hollywood movies like Zoolander, Anchorman and Mission Impossible, was set to inspire 50-themed attractions inside the park, scheduled to open in 2022.
There had been no concrete plans for what rides would be built, but zones mooted for the site include Adventure Isle, Land of Legends, Cartoon Circus, Starfleet Command, Action Square, Port Paramount and Entertainment City.
The studios were also the inspiration behind the park’s name – London Paramount.
But reported today that the park’s developers London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) and Paramount had failed to agree terms for featuring some of the studio’s biggest films.
The news of the split has created some doubt about whether the project, which was expected to attract up to 40,000 visitors a day, would go forward.
But the developers are said to be confident that their planning application for the site would still be submitted this November.
A source told Kent Online that the team were now looking forward to working with multiple brands, instead of being tied to just one big name.
It still has agreements to create rides inspired by BBC programmes and also Aardman Animations, who made Wallace and Gromit.
LRCH chief executive Humphrey Percy told the website: “We want to express our sincere thanks to the many members of the Paramount team who have worked with us since we took over the project in August 2013.
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“We are working closely with the local authorities, landowners and local community, as well as our other stakeholders, and we very much look forward to showing our plans to the public as part of our final stage of consultation prior to submitting later this year.
“We are creating a unique entertainment destination offering a scale and quality unprecedented in the UK where much-loved characters and stories will be brought to life from iconic movies, television, books, electronic gaming and toys.”
Local council members echoed the views of LRCH, saying that the split with Paramount was good for the park.
There had also been doubts about whether the project would go ahead earlier in the year, when a high-profile member of the team quit shortly after Chinese investors raised doubts over £100million they had pledged towards the build.
But Humphrey Percy, group CEO of the project’s parent company Kuwaiti European Holdings, said at the time that they were committed and determined to make the project a reality.
Developers say the 872-acre tourist destination will create around 33,000 jobs.
As well as the 50 rides, there are also plans for a 2,000-seat theatre, hotels, an exhibition space, several restaurants and a nightclub.
It is thought that the cost of a day ticket will be £57 and there are plans to include the cost of public transport from central London in this, to encourage people to leave their cars at home.