THE Warrington Guardian has joined up with Business Link to help businesses beat the credit crunch.

This week, we take a look at how Gulliver’s World theme park in Westbrook has managed to thrive even in the current tough trading conditions.

FOR the past two decades, family-run business Gulliver’s World has grown from one park in Matlock to three, with the addition of Warrington and Milton Keynes.

And there are more ambitious plans in the pipeline.

Managing director Julie Dalton has been at the helm of Gulliver’s World since 2003 when she took over the role from her dad Ray Phillips after he retired.

Julie began working with Business Link and following an initial diagnostic meeting, adviser Sab Losey helped the park develop an action plan.

Julie said: “Business Link helped us to focus on delivering excellent customer satisfaction which provided a solid foundation from which to expand the business significantly and push forward with our future plans.”

The company also put a lot of effort into expanding the website, making it more interactive and increasing its Google rating.

It is currently the number one theme park for a UK google search and number seven worldwide.

With 30 full-time and up to 180 seasonal staff, training has also proved to be an important area of support.

Julie added: “Business Link skills adviser Joyce Wolstencroft has helped us access funding to develop our senior team with the Train to Gain: Leadership and Management advisory service.

“We have identified the key players within Gulliver’s and are currently assessing their development needs. Business Link will then help us source companies to help carry out the mentoring programme.”

Gulliver’s World has ambitious plans and aims to be a major resort bringing business to the local economy. Later this year it will open a 90-bedroom green hotel which will be the first of its kind in the country.

“It will have a full rainwater harvesting system and solar panels which will work to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Julie.

“Business Link has played a vital role in these developments and their involvement has really helped to cement our plans and turn them into reality.”