Gulliver’s theme park recruiting 250 employees for new £38m Rother Valley site

Image of one of the firm’s other parks, Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes

GULLIVER’S has begun recruiting the first of 250 vacancies at its £38 million children’s theme park in Rotherham.

Applications have opened for duty managers at the attraction, which is under construction next to Rother Valley Country Park.

Gulliver’s managing director Julie Dalton said: “We need people who have significant leadership experience, thrive in a fast-paced environment and are confident managing large teams.

“It would be wonderful if we could recruit individuals who are already based in Rotherham. The new development is for the local community, it’s fitting that new job opportunities created should be offered to Rotherham people as a priority.”

Gulliver’s Valley — set to open next year — is ten times larger than the firm’s first park at Matlock Bath, which was created by Julie’s dad Ray in 1978.

Amended plans were approved last month for the Rotherham development to avoid building on leftover shafts at the 250-acre former Pithouse West colliery site.

Duty managers will have responsibility for day-to-day operations at the resort, including productivity, performance and hospitality.

Specialist areas include entertainment, rides, food and drink, health and safety, and retail. Send a CV and covering letter to [email protected] by February 10 to apply.

Meanwhile, Gulliver’s has partnered with skills charity work-wise to inspire young people about careers in the leisure and tourism sector.

The GullyFest Days challenge pupils to come up with theme park designs and business plans — and create new characters like mascot Gully Mouse.

Dean Kimberley, Gulliver’s guest services director, said: “We want to do all we can to support the aspirations of youngsters.

“Often children have ideas that adults would never dream of, it’s also possible some ideas will be implemented in our Gulliver’s Valley theme park here in Rotherham.”

John Barber, work-wise chief executive and cofounder, added: “The children have all been fantastic and we are really looking forward to see what they manage to do in their challenges.”