S2 Ep1; Thursford - Interview with Charlie & George Cushing
Release Date: 04/14/2021
Jimmy Doherty on tourism investment, customers & polar bears!
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. One of them is a familiar face on TV and in bookshops, and owner of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, Jimmy Doherty. Jimmy chatted to Chris Scargill about the changes he has seen over the years in customer behavior and trends, the importance of investment and funding for tourism based businesses, what tourism really means to him, and of course, how you go about embarking on a rescue mission that means building...
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 3 - Jimmy’s Farm, Byfords and Visit North Norfolk
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. Chris Scargill chaired a panel discussion on the day, and the audience heard commentary on the results of the survey and insight on other key issues impacting the sector. The panel included Park Director at , Stevie Shepperd, Director of Visit North Norfolk and Manager at , Andrew Hird, and the owner of Hidden Talents Iain Wilson, which operates an array of local businesses including in Norwich, Hotel in Holt, and...
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 2 - Insight on results data from the Larking Gowen team
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. In this episode, Tourism & Leisure Partner Chris Scargill discusses the results of the survey in detail, with further insight from specialists Emma Hayward and Sarah Pickett. View the full survey results brochure
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 1 AI, sustainability & what we can learn from New Zealand
Tourism Business Chat
The power of generative AI, and what we can learn from sustainable New Zealand tourism During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders working in tourism and hospitality. Richard Turvel from SwissCamplings, a leading laundry supplier to the sector, reflects on what he calls ‘steady boring growth’ and how he believes in the power of his people, even though a huge part of his business is based in machines, and where he sees technology and AI taking us. Tori Burns is a business advisor who also...
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With Mary Sparrow, co-owner of Hippersons Boatyard
Tourism Business Chat
How does a headteacher at the top of her career come to live and work on the Broads? We find out, as Mary takes us on a journey that ‘cruises’ through a career working with troubled teens, into a battle with cancer, and out into the warmth and wonder of Beccles, a hugely popular part of the Norfolk Broads. After being told that the stress of her job was the likely cause of her cancer returning, Mary and her husband took this as a sign to pack up their London life and pursue their dream, starting a business in boat repairing. Mary was adamant, though, that she didn’t want to work in...
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BONUS – Tourism Business Survey insights with Adnams, Banham Zoo and Hippersons Boatyard
Tourism Business Chat
The Tourism Business Survey was relaunched for 2023, after a ‘COVID-19 break’ and the results were announced at a seminar on 25 April to an audience of sector leaders. We recorded the panel discussions hihglights for listeners to enjoy who were unable to attend on the day. You can hear reflections on the results of the survey from the team of experts at Larking Gowen, and commentary from Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams, Claudia Roberts, CEO of Zoological Society of East Anglia which operates Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, and Mary Sparrow, owner of Hippersons Boatyard in Norfolk. Valerie...
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Tourism Survey bitesize chat. In tourism, we are storytellers!
Tourism Business Chat
Chris whisked away some leaders in the tourism sector after the Tourism Business Survey seminar on 25 April 2023, and hosted a very special chat. His guests were Oliver Paul, co-owner of Suffolk Food Hall, Tarnia Robertson, a Hospitality Consultant and Business Coach (and former MD of Ufford Park) and Elliott Attew, Manager of Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park. In this bitesize episode, they reflect on the results of the Tourism Business Survey and how the data has reflected concerns and stories around trends and sustainability. They discuss how to make sustainability part of your...
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With Asa Morrison, Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth
Tourism Business Chat
What does your mind conjure up when we say Great Yarmouth? Whether we’ve been there or not, we likely all have something come to mind. That’s the power of marketing and positive experiences. Asa Morrison is Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, a Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) and tourism business improvement district, of which there are only three in the UK. Asa is passionate about where he lives and works, and his role is to increase support and visitors to Great Yarmouth, in a sustainable and responsible way. He chats to Chris about the issues with the public...
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With Park Director and Managing Director of ROARR!, Adam and Martin Goymour
Tourism Business Chat
This week, Chris speaks to two of East Anglia’s big hitters, Park Director of ROARR!, Adam Goymour, and the park’s Managing Director, Martin Goymour. ROARR! is the UK’s biggest dinosaur themed adventure park, beloved by thousands of families, both locally and across the country. This successful father and son team has taken the park to dizzying heights in recent years. They reflect on what prompted their decision to start up what is now one of the UK’s biggest Halloween scare attractions, PrimEVIL! They even discuss their legal battle surrounding a certain famous dinosaur called Dippy!...
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S4 Ep1 With Steve Magnall, owner of Two Magpies Group
Tourism Business Chat
Chances are, by now, you’ll have seen Steve’s bakeries on one of your days out, or if you haven’t, you likely will do soon! Steve chats to Chris about how he met the founder of Two Magpies Bakery, Rebecca Bishop, and left the corporate life behind him back in 2018, to help invest and grow the then small bakery into the well-known chain it is today. Steve speaks honestly on the financial situation they found themselves in during lockdown, and what they did to ensure the future of the business, and therefore the mortgages of his team, whom he speaks of with great pride. He elaborates on...
info_outlineSeries 2 launches with a real treat – a behind the curtains look at Thursford, famous for its Christmas Spectacular show, weddings and more. A favourite of locals, tourists, and celebrities alike!
Looking back on March 2020, brothers Charlie (General Manager) and George (Project and Marketing Manager) Cushing were positive and thinking, “Thank goodness the pandemic isn’t happening at Christmas!” Cut to December 2020, and they’ve had to plan and orchestrate a completely new, and equally thrilling, theatre-esque experience for their loyal fan-base.
They have a fascinating story to tell. They set out on a journey where they could continue to support other local businesses by minimising the knock-on effect that cancelling their annual event would have on the local economy, and the team of professional performers they hire. The arts have been hit massively by lockdown, and they were determined to provide much needed opportunities where they could.
They also reflect on the history of Thursford, and how it started with steam engines and broken down fairground rides; what life on furlough was like, whilst keeping future plans in mind; the lessons they have learned about communication, keeping the ‘family feel’ to the business, playing to peoples strengths; and how to diversify quickly! Whilst they are planning for the worst, and hoping for the best for 2021, their youthful energy and fresh ideas are infectious, providing a much-needed jolt of hope for the future of the arts, and tourism in Norfolk.
Visit Thursford here
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