Minutes:
Members
considered the service report card for Margam Park.
Members
asked what the service was doing to promote the location to increase income
from filming. Officers stated that they had good relations with all location
managers on film and television and there were regular visits to the park to
deem its suitability for the respective programmes. Officers advised that
between 2011 and 2015 there were a number of big programmes and films filmed at
the park and in addition to the filming income this had brought with it a high
secondary spend in that the films used local carpenters and plumbers for
example.
Members
asked whether the park had thought about selling souvenirs online. Officers
stated that this had been considered previously but due to postage costs it had
not been taken forward. Members suggested that it is now the norm for customers
to pay postage and packing and that the service should consider this in the
future.
Members
asked for an update in relation to the proposed campsite at the park. It was
stated that this had been 8 years in negotiations and that there were progress
made and an agreement had been reached with Welsh Water in relation to the
drainage for the site.
Members
felt concern that whilst the number of functions held at the orangery had
increased there had been a decrease in the number of weddings. Officers agreed
that this had been a concern but were happy to report that since a wedding
exhibition at the beginning of January there had been 8 confirmed wedding
bookings.
An
update was requested on whether Go Ape had been a success since its
introduction to the park. Officers stated that it had not been a huge success
however, it was suggested that the company should investigate the feasibility of introducing a
course for younger people as this was a success when a mobile trail was at the
park for a set period of time.
Members
asked for an update in relation to Twyn yr Hydd and it was confirmed that
at the moment his was commercially sensitive and a report would be brought back
to a future meeting.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
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