Agenda item

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.