BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH AND THE THOMPSON FAMILY

Early day motion 1412, tabled 28 June 2004 by Gordon Marsden (Labour). Signed by 33 members.

That this House notes with sadness and deep regret the passing of Doris Thompson OBE and Geoffrey Thompson OBE, chairman and managing director respectively of Blackpool Pleasure Beach; pays tribute to their personal qualities of joie de vivre and entrepreneurship in developing and maintaining Blackpool Pleasure Beach and its attractions such as the Big One which is enjoyed by huge numbers of visitors every year, and to their voluntary and charitable work; recognises their major contributions not just to the success of Blackpool and the Fylde as a visitor destination, but to the development of leisure and tourism in this country and to the hospitality industry; and extends its sympathy and condolences to the Thompson family on having lost two much loved figures within 10 days of each other, but celebrates their achievements and the continuing role of the Pleasure Beach both in the regeneration of Blackpool and in continuing to give pleasure and thrills to a cast of millions.

Signatures by party: Labour 19, Conservative 6, Labour/Co-operative 5, Liberal Democrat 2, UUP 1.