Attractions industry news
23 Sep 2013
George Bryan, founder of Drayton Manor dies, aged 92
The founder and owner of Drayton Manor Theme Park, Mr George H H Bryan OBE, died last Friday.
Mr Bryan, aged 92, bought the land for Drayton Manor 1949, when he and his wife Vera paid £12,000 for 80 acres covered with 4ft-high brambles, mounds of rubbish and old army huts.
Six months later, following a complete transformation, Drayton Manor was opened, giving families access to a restaurant, a tearoom, three hand-operated rides, six rowing boats, pedal cars and a set of second-hand dodgem cars.
Today the park is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most popular family theme parks, having welcomed over 25m visitors.
In 2004, Bryan was awarded the OBE for hospital services, for his work as the chairman of a local Community Health Council and services to tourism.
Bryan, was a trained engineer and started his career making machines for penny arcades with his father, William.
Bryan's son, Colin, is now managing director of Drayton Manor which has grown to cover 280 acres (113 hectares).
He's is survived by his wife Vera, who is 95 years old.
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