Cadbury World (from initial feasibility to completion)

Ian was invited to join L & R Leisure Consultants to undertake an initial Feasibility Study into the potential to develop a visitor attraction around the story of chocolate.  This suggested that a viable attraction could be achieved in one of the redundant buildings on the Company’s Bournville site.
We were then commissioned as part of the design team to:

Opened 1990.

Lough Neagh Discovery Centre (from initial feasibility to completion)

A new £1.5m visitor centre on the shores of Lough Neagh which includes a £½m exhibition with audio visual, computer based and mechanical interactives and a unique eco-lab interactive area.  Here Ian prepared the initial feasibility and interpretive plan, obtained ERDF grant aid, undertook all storyline research, developed the concept design for the exhibition, including computer and mechanical interactives, copywriting, image sourcing, curatorial advice coupled with wide-ranging operational management support. 
Opened June 1993.

Rhondda Heritage Park Underground Experience (design feasibility : now created)

We were invited to develop an authentic ‘walk to the coalface’ in the undercroft of the two head frames at Rhondda Heritage Park.
The design development proposals included audio visuals, a ‘cage ride’, a whole series of tableau en route to the coalface and a ‘fun’ simulator ride back to the surface.  The proposals were animated by guides who were former mine workers.  The scheme was budgeted at £1.3m and was successful in obtaining funding for its implementation.  It was implemented by Brooke Millar Partnership and has been successfully operating for many years.

Dunaskin Open Air Industrial Museum, Ayrshire (visitor management and interpretation)

A 200 acre Scheduled Ancient Monument in the heart of the Doon Valley (Ayrshire) for which Ian prepared a Visitor Management Plan and Interpretive Strategy and implemented over £200,000 of interpretation, signage and a new visitor centre in order to structure the visitor experience and help visitors get the most out of the site and the surrounding industrial landscape.

Making It! Discovery Centre, Mansfield (feasibility to opening of full attraction)

Undertook initial Feasibility Study to create an interactive family-based educational museum on the concept of process, manufacture and making things and subsequently established the Trust, raised nearly £5m (including £1.772m Millennium Commission grant and £1m ERDF grant), project managed the first phase of the project at a value of £1.2m including serviced offices, conference centre, interactive brewing gallery and brewery tour.  Subsequently was Director of Operations for Phase 2 and special advisor to ensure that the quality of the exhibitions designed by Past Forward Limited was to the highest possible standard.
Centre opened 2002.

Forest of Marston Vale Centre

The Marston Vale Community Forest successfully applied for a grant from the Millennium Commission towards the cost of developing a major new visitor centre. 
Over a four year period we:

The Forest Centre opened in 2002 and is operating successfully.

Whisby Natural World

A £4m Millennium Commission funded project on the edge of Lincoln comprising a major new visitor centre for an existing 180ha. country park and nature reserve based on extensive gravel workings.
We were asked to advise and support North Kesteven District Council in:

The new exhibition opened in April 2003.  We have subsequently reviewed the exhibition and facilitated a process of reappraisal of the interpretive provision 5 years on.

We have also worked on a range of other visitor attractions: