John Child: Having a splashing time

By Ged Henderson

27 May 2022

john-child-at-sandcastle-waterpark.jpg

John Child dived in at the deep end 35 years ago and is still making waves in Blackpool and beyond.

During his time at Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark he has risen to the top and gone from lifeguard/supervisor to managing director of the internationally acclaimed attraction.

Under his leadership, John has been MD for a quarter of a century, it has developed into the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, with more than 18 slides and attractions and over 360,000 visitors a year.

The Sandcastle opened in 1986 on the Promenade, on the site of the former South Shore open air baths. John has overseen its transformation from a loss-making operation to a company that makes a multi-millionpound contribution to Blackpool Council’s coffers. John says: “It is not all about profit, though looking after your customers and your team is what will make you a great bottom line.”

John has worked in Blackpool’s tourism sector since he was a teenager, his first job was in the Fun House café at the Pleasure Beach. He says: “Then as a student I progressed onto the amusements and rides side of the business, and it gave me a good grounding in leisure and hospitality. I thoroughly enjoyed the people side of it.

“One of the managers in particular impressed me, the way he treated his staff, was approachable and did things in a certain way. He showed me the importance of the team and mentoring people, bringing them on.”

After completing his geology degree, John returned to the resort and was working in a hotel and as a swimming teacher when he saw the Sandcastle was being built.

He says: “I was interested in this type of attraction and thought that there might be an opportunity. Swimming was my passion.”

John, who had won a local lifesaving competition, applied and got a job as a lifeguard and supervisor, also helping with training.

He was made manager in 1988, operations manager two years later, was general manager by 1997 and after completing his Masters degree in business, became a director of the company not long after.

Taking over the reins of the Sandcastle as managing director was, he says: “a great opportunity”. He adds: “It was a long way away from the attraction it is now. But I had a vision for the place, I wanted to see it become something special.

“I’d seen what other places had done and it was clear we’d fallen behind, there had been no investment.”

That changed when Blackpool Council bought the operation in 2003, subsequently operating it as an arms-length company. The business changed direction, sector leading water attractions were put into the park, helping turn its fortunes around.

However, John says that success is not just about the slides, fun pools and wave machines.

He says: “The guest service must be excellent. You have to create that great culture within your organisation, a culture of guest service excellence and inclusion for all.

“That’s achieved through a thousand and one small gestures and attention to detail. It is everything, from the way the team speak to guests to making sure things are clean and well maintained.”

He adds: “I’ve loved building the business. I’ve seen people coming to work for us and developing. We’ve given them transferable skills and I’m proud to see them go on from here and do well.”

Diversity is also important to John and under his leadership the waterpark has been at the vanguard of disability tourism globally.

He is proud to be an accessibility champion and member of an inclusive tourism action group and talks of the work that goes into making the attraction a welcoming place for everybody.

During his time, he’s also seen what he calls Blackpool’s “readjustment” and believes the tide is turning for the resort.

He says: “There’s a lot of investment in Blackpool and I’d say the attractions are the best they have ever been. They really are the jewel in the country’s tourism crown, possibly only London can compete and I’m proud to be part of this continuing journey.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant Barnfield team on new Kerakoll site

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant

27 Jun 2025

2

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light Cubico

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light

26 Jun 2025

3

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes Ravenhead

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes

26 Jun 2025

4

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business Conlon celebrating its first EOT Day with family at Ribby Hall Village

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business

26 Jun 2025

5

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders Northcoders skills support

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders

26 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin