To receive an update from Legoland Windsor Resort.

The forum was addressed by Lauren Walton, Head of PR at Legoland Windsor Resort and David Pugh, Consultation Adviser to Legoland Windsor Resort.

Lauren Walton said that the resort introduced the need for guests to pre-book their tickets at the start of the pandemic and that they continued to do this. This allowed them to control visitor numbers, improve the guest experience and manage highway services better. She acknowledged that 2021 had been a challenging year similarly to 2020, and that staff recruitment had proved difficult. They encouraged local residents to apply for roles at the resort. 2021 saw the resort celebrate its 25^th birthday and the launch of Lego Mythica. Local NHS workers and their families were offered tickets to enjoy this new experience.

Lauren Walton outlined the events that had occurred during the season. These included Brick or Treat in October, the Fireworks Spectacular in November and Legoland at Christmas in December. 2022 would include events such as the Explorer Escape Weekends in January, February and March and then Brick Week in February half-term. The 2022 season would then commence from March onwards.

Lauren Walton then explained some of the resort’s key goals and aims. These included:

·       Spreading visitor numbers more evenly throughout the year.

·       Encouraging more overnight stays (on and off site).

·       Shifting more arrivals / departures to off-peak times.

·       Getting more people to spend time in the local area.

·       Promoting Windsor as a destination for families.

·       Improving public transport connectivity.

·       Supporting the Royal Borough’s Environment & Climate Strategy.

David Pugh acknowledged that some of the forum members were present in 2018 where the proposed plans presented by Legoland Windsor Resort were voted through by 11 votes to 2. A judicial challenge occurred and in December 2021, this was quashed with the plans allowed to continue. David Pugh then shared with the forum some images of the planned holiday cabins that had been approved to be built and he also shared some figures on employment and visitor impacts that the new plans would have on the borough.

David Pugh said that due to the long-term plan delays, separate proposals for investment were in need of being brought forward. This included a Lego Adventure Golf, to be situated in one of the current Western car parks at the resort. This was planned for Spring 2023 onwards. David Pugh then discussed the benefits that this would have to the borough including more jobs both permanent and seasonal, it would attract more visitors to the borough, and it would encourage more off-peak visit throughout the year.

Councillor Davey asked if there were any plans to have a direct road link from the M4 motorway to Legoland Windsor Resort. David Pugh responded by saying no and that this was near impossible, but they were aware of the traffic that occurred from visitors to the resort. He added that he would like to see more visitors use public transport when visiting the resort, and that they were working on ways to encourage this.

Councillor Davey then asked if it were possible for the resort to minimise the amount of ancient oak trees that it cut down when building at the resort. David Pugh confirmed that these were being protected during the development and that the resort was also undertaking the planting of further trees. 

Councillor Rayner acknowledged Legoland Windsor Resort as being a vital partner to the borough and recognised them as being a large employer of staff within the borough. She hoped that the borough’s close relationship with the resort would continue for a long time.

Councillor Carole Da Costa asked about plans for electric buses from the Windsor train stations to the resort. David Pugh responded by saying that discussions had taken place with RBWM officers about this, and he acknowledged that the Council had put in its submission to the government for its bus service improvement plan. Flexible bus services had been discussed as a potential idea, which would see services monitored depending on demand. David Pugh also discussed the idea of having an integrated ticketing system, which would see resort tickets coupled with a transport ticket.