Fright Factory UK Haunted Attraction news and update:

Fright Factory UK was aiming to be the first all year round open Haunt. We started off in Febuary 2006 with lots and lots of work to do. However with a commited team of people, this was hopefully going to be the dream in the making. After everyone got very excited seeing the art work/design it was all go go go. Within weeks we was recieving emails from people asking who, what, when.

Location was always Fright Factory UKs biggest problem, is it because we are outside of London, well possibly, or was it that Alton Towers was down the road maybe? Who knows, but we didnt want to let this effect us. After been just days away on our first property, disastrous news that a late buyer had come in with a exceptional offer - later found out to be property developers.

This continued, as the 2nd location we put a offer on, although accepted on terms, we found out that we was out bid again, by a large group of owned Hotels.Finally when we did find something more local to staffordshire, we was halted by councils, and health and safety issues. I think it was the pit of real snakes and spiders that they didnt like, not to mention the rabid dogs we had stored ready for opening night lol.

We finally found a spot for a event in Staffordshire, but it was at very late notice. We had lost nearly a year to fat cats - and was way behind schedule. So with all the pressure and commitment the team had done we held a event called "A Nightmare before Christmas". This event was held very privatley. No media, or anyone invited from the industry. We just wanted to get a response from the public, to see if it was something that was or even NOT going to work in the UK. Luckily we had a great response - however some people still just DIDNT GET IT, its all very well for us haunters or horror fans to love and understand the idea, but i was surprised how some of the general public didnt get it. However it was a Christmas event, and considering people have presents to buy and other things on their mind, our twisted ideas and rather disturbing Santa theme went well.

After this we took a months break and contemplated on what to do next. We decided to give it another go, but for Valentines instead. We was lucky to find a location, but didnt use the traditional haunt idea. Instead we wined and dined guests in a very interview with a vampire theme. romantic, yet slightly wrong. Actors was all dressed for the occasion with waiters, waitresses all themed out, in which looked a very relistic setting. We ran this over 3 nights and yet again we felt it was a success, but YET AGAIN, we felt that people didnt get it. Yes they enjoyed it, but are we TOO BRITISH at times. If i had that oppotunity in the states i would probably be dining with Stephen King right now.

While all this was going on, we still had failed to find a permanent location. We called a meeting and said that its make or break time now. After a few shouts and sulks, we decided that unless your a MAJOR tourist attraction set in the heart of the capital you have no chance. We was also tired of feeling that we was opening something that was BAD, as in encouraging drugs, crime, alchohol, and yet we would have high security and selling no alchohol on the premises. Yet nightclubs, bars across the city get the go ahead all the time. We just DIDNT GET IT this time.!

It was now heading for the Halloween season of 2007, eeek. We had to choose do we do something, but it would be a half hearted attempt, or do we take the time to research and see how the Halloween season goes. We choose to research, as we didnt want to open at Halloween 07 just for the sake of it. Mark went to the states while the rest of the team went and checked out other local Haunts.

In the end, we held a Fright Factory UK halloween ball. This was held in a old school house in Staffordshire and people GOT IT. Now this was odd, because we went into a completley new stage and held a party rather than a scare event as such. The night was a huge success and people loved it, oh apart from one person that moaned that they didnt think they got value for money. However from the amount of wine and spirits this person had i think they did very well.

So why did the british public GET IT, was it because it was JUST a party and the brits love beers/drinks/fancy dress and a party, was it because it wasnt a fresh and new idea? We dont know, but it did make us address things and think differently. After still being very confused with how well the Halloween Ball went, we contemplated on doing the same for Christmas, but timing was just too close for comfort, so we decided to hang back until start of 2008. A new year and new start right?

Sadly Mark who owns Fright Factory UK, was diagnosed with Cancer in January 2008. However he is going to be ok, but as you can imagine it takes over more than your body and is number one priority on his and his familys mind. He is currently recieving Chemo and is told he will possible feel unwell until around May/June. This is very sad news as Mark is very enthusiastic about his project, but has just been in bad luck land for a couple of years. Im sure you wish Mark well so we can get something moving and fast.

Well if you have read this far then thank you. Its been a rollercoaster of a ride and for this year at least we are going to settle with this website, bringing news, reviews, competitions and more. This doesnt mean the end of Fright Factory UK as we still have some major plans and events planned, but as we have said, for now the project is on hold, and we assure you that when we have ANY news it will be posted up straight away.

Thanks for everyones support over the last couple of years, your enthusiasm and kind words really have meant a awful lot to us.

Regards

Fright Factory UK