ASVA E-ZINE

Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the ASVA E-Zine

asva.co.uk [email protected] 07458 306982

Butlin’s opens 'revolutionary' £40m pool designed by FITCH

May 2019

Family resort operator Butlin's has launched an art-deco style pool and water attraction at its Bognor Regis resort.

Called Splash, the huge £40m pool can accommodate up to 1,000 guests and features the world's first helter-skelter water ride.

The pool was designed by brand and retail consultancy FITCH, which was given the brief to create the most family friendly pool in Britain and to "bring the seaside inside".

For this, FITCH created slides that look like sticks of candy rock and a 328ft-long 'Seaside Garden Rapids' ride which starts inside then goes outside.

There is also a large wave pool, an adrenaline flume and a family-fun raft ride.

During the planning stage, FITCH developed bespoke VR technology to deliver a preview of the proposed work to the Butlin’s board.

This had such an impact that the content is now implemented at a consumer level – to display the pool in the Butlin’s resort holiday booking shop and inspire potential guests.

The VR visualisation was led by FITCH’s digital team. Butlin’s and FITCH also worked with parenting forum Mumsnet to gauge feedback on swimming pool dressing rooms to deliver a changing village that fulfils the needs of families.

“FITCH absolutely rose to the challenge set out in the brief, combining unique design with modern features to create a memorable, enjoyable experience for families," said Kika Dabbs, brand manager at Butlin’s.

"The beautiful contemporary art-deco theme strikes the perfect balance for what we are trying to achieve with our ‘bring the seaside inside’ concept.

"The innovative use of VR by the FITCH digital team during the planning stage was so impressive we rolled out the VR previews to our guests, so they could see exactly what the new pool has to offer.”

Jacquie Butlin, daughter of the brand’s founder Sir Billy Butlin, said: “I know my father would be immensely proud of the new pool and the Butlin’s resorts of 2019, because all his values, his dreams and his ambitions for the brand are still at the heart of everything they do."

« back

Member News

Stirling Old Town Jail Awarded Coveted Five-Star Grading by VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme
Stirling Old Town Jail has proudly achieved a prestigious five-star grading from the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme.
Read more »

Edinburgh Zoo Named Best Zoo in Scotland
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has been named the best zoo to visit in Scotland by TripAdvisor, the world’s biggest travel guidance platform.
Read more »

Summerlee Celebrates Four Millionth Visitor
Summerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.
Read more »

Research Reveals Da Vinci Code Impact at Rosslyn Chapel - 21 Years After Publication
Visitors to Rosslyn Chapel are still strongly influenced by its role in The Da Vinci Code according to new research undertaken to mark the 21st anniversary of the book, which was first published on 18th March 2003.
Read more »

Internationally Acclaimed Artists Join Kelpies Tenth Anniversary Celebrations
The creator and sculptor of the iconic Kelpies at The Helix, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, Andy Scott, has returned to Scotland from his home in Los Angeles, California, in advance of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the world- renowned equine structures, as the latest star to perform at Kelpies 10 on 27 April 2024, is announced.
Read more »

The Search is on for Scotland’s Nature Tourism Champions
Whether you are a pioneering business or a collaborative partnership, this is your moment to be celebrated. With headline sponsor NatureScot, RSPB are recognising the people and initiatives protecting Scotland’s nature – open to all.
Read more »

Major Exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk to Open at V&A Dundee
The fascinating story of the style, appeal and influence of the kimono is explored in a major exhibition opening at V&A Dundee on Saturday 4 May.
Read more »

The National Trust for Scotland Launches Global Access to its Robert Burns Collection
Over 2,500 historic items from the National Trust for Scotland’s internationally important collections from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway are now available to explore from anywhere in the world.
Read more »

Verdant Works Undergoes Brand Refresh with Thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Scotland’s only jute museum, founded in a refurbished 1833 mill in the heart of Dundee - the city once coined ‘juteopolis’ - has undergone a brand refresh, with thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Read more »

Introducing ‘LemurLounge’: A New Chapter in Enrichment at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Blair Drummond Safari Park are proud to announce their latest collaboration with researchers from the University of Glasgow to introduce groundbreaking enrichment for zoo lemurs.
Read more »

Learn About 17th Century Medicine at The Real Mary King’s Close
The Real Mary King’s Close launched its brand-new Medical History Tours, a unique guided experience which takes guests on a journey through the fascinating development of medicine through time.
Read more »

Aberdeen Science Centre Promotes Inclusivity with New Sensory Space
Aberdeen Science Centre has introduced a new Sensory Space to support visitors that could feel overwhelmed or overstimulated whilst at the centre.
Read more »

Get Your Quack On! Dalkeith Country Park to Host Doddie Duck Race in Support of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation
Grab your rubber duckies and mark your calendars because Dalkeith Country Park is gearing up for a quack-tastic charity event - the Doddie Duck Race!
Read more »

People’s Palace launches ‘last chance to see’ campaign, before closing for major refurbishment
People are being encouraged to visit the People’s Palace, Glasgow before it closes on Sunday 14 April for major refurbishment. Funding secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund means the next stage of a transformational project can begin, which will completely reimagine and restore the much-loved museum and Winter Gardens glasshouse.
Read more »