Water park where girl died sold to new owners

The deal was made ahead of the death of a four-year-old girl at Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent

A water park in Staffordshire where a four-year-old girl died earlier this month has been sold in a multimillion-pound deal.

The attraction in Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent, has been sold by entrepreneur Mo Chaudry to the European leisure giant, Looping Group, which operates 21 leisure parks across Europe, including West Midlands Safari Park and Drayton Manor Park.

The deal was finalised on 31 July and, according to Companies House, Mo Chaudry stepped down as director of Waterworld on 31 July, four days before the death of the four-year-old girl.

A multi-agency investigation is under way into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council confirmed its environmental health team was working with the police and venue to "undertake a full health and safety investigation".

'Handing over the baton'

Laurent Bruloy, executive chairman and co-founder of the Looping Group, said: "The deal was finalised on 31st of July and although Looping Group has been pleased to welcome the park in the Looping group family, we have all been saddened by the recent tragic accident and extend our deepest thoughts and sympathy to the family of the young girl involved and stand by the Waterworld teams."

While the value of the deal has not been disclosed, Mr Chaudry's family investment company now has a net worth of more than £170m in the wake of the sale.

Mr Chaudry, the chairman of M Investment Group, said: "Waterworld has been a huge part of my life and business journey and I am proud of everything we have achieved as a team.

"I am now handing over the baton to Looping, a world-class operator with the vision and expertise to take Waterworld even further, ensuring the resort has an exciting future."

The entrepreneur said the Looping Group had "made a clear commitment to investing in the park and supporting the local community", claiming that staff jobs were secure and visitors could expect "even more exciting developments ahead".

Waterworld has seen millions of visitors since opening in 1989.