Update: Great Yarmouth House of Wax - ‘A first class opportunity for any entrepreneur.’ What do you think?

Sam Russell Thursday, November 1, 2012
11:43 AM

A cult waxworks facing closure would present a “first class opportunity” for any entrepreneur, a tourism chief has said.

Louis Tussauds House of Wax on Regent Road in Great Yarmouth. Picture: James Bass

Louis Tussauds House of Wax in Great Yarmouth achieved fame on the internet for its models that look little like their subjects - from Mr Blobby to Diana, Princess of Wales.

But the much-loved Regent Road attraction could close as its elderly owners cannot find anybody to take over when they retire.

Peter Williamson, chairman of Norfolk Tourist Attractions Association, is a close friend of Mr and Mrs Hayes.

And he said the unusual tourist spot could be a wise investment for the right buyer.

GV's of the dummies in Louis Tussauds House of Wax, 18 Regent Road, Great Yarmouth. Michael Owen - Liverpool/England striker Picture: Adam Scorey Copy: Stephen Pullinger For :EDP/GYM News EDP pics © 2003 Tel: (01603) 772434

It is always sad when a long-established operator of such a respected and well-loved attraction decides to retire, said Mr Williamson. The House of Wax represents a first class opportunity for any entrepreneur to come and join the Great Yarmouth visitor attraction scene.

Owner Jane Hayes, 82, currently runs the business with 85-year-old husband Peter.

She said: In June this year my husband was taken seriously ill with pneumonia.

We dont want to retire but when your health starts to decline you have to think.

It will be a shame as weve been here 57 years, and it would be nice to make 60, but weve no family interested in taking it on.

There are more than 150 waxworks at the attraction, which is run by Mr and Mrs Hayes and a team of three staff.

The attraction is also home for Mr and Mrs Hayes and they said they would rather not sell up, but would if somebody expressed interest.

Two planning applications have been lodged with the borough council - one to change the waxworks to a residential dwelling, and another to erect two new kiosks outside the museum.

To see photos of some of the waxworks, click the link to the top right of the story.

Click here to test your knowledge of its endearing exhibits which are famed for looking little like their famous subjects.

15 comments

Come on folks, this is' Normal for Norfolk', chill out, it's what we are all about, this is why we attract visitors, we will have even more now. I went to the wax works over 50 years ago, and there stood Bob Monkhouse, looked incredible, the wax made him look hot and sweaty, then he moved!! He was standing there for real, just pretending to be wax, wonder if the owners remember that. Well done owners, you have kept it going a long time. It is just a job and you did it.

Report this comment

Brown Sugar

Sunday, November 4, 2012
Yarmouth should have moved away from a tourist based economy a long while ago. It should be based around engineering and manufacturing NOT filthy Londoners in "kiss me quick" hats!

Report this comment

Steady On

Friday, November 2, 2012
If the holiday makers go home, Yarmouth would be even drearier and more depressed than it is now - no jobs, no hope of jobs.

Report this comment

julygirl

Friday, November 2, 2012
How such a poor exhibition survived so long is a mystery. It is a fine looking building but I fear that is going to become part of the demise of Regent Road. Gt. Yarmouth was a real bustling holiday town up until the discovery of North Sea gas. The powers to be decided that to be an oil and gas town was more important than the holiday trade. Shame that oil was discovered off Scotland and almost overnight Aberdeen become the capital oil town of Europe.

Report this comment

norman hall

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Suprise suprise, Billy is first to comment.

Report this comment

Horatio

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Holiday makers GO HOME!

Report this comment

Steady On

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Redevelop the site before it becomes another Talib knicker shop.

Report this comment

Paul Morley

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Not usre they need any help the owners seem to have sparked and national media blitz. I wouldnt be surprised to hear news crews werent heading to the scene now for live corvage.

Report this comment

Paul Morley

Thursday, November 1, 2012
I never understood the enjoyment people gained from wax work museums. I've been to the museum in the article. When I was much younger we visited Madame Tussauds. I only enjoyed the creepy part. I can't see many people wanting their photo taken with an unrealistic replica of someone nobody even knows any more. Let alone someone in Great Yarmouth! We want more charity shops!

Report this comment

Caister Waster

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Too True Wes

Report this comment

Gorlmouth

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Cliff Could pass for Mrs Brown!! Michael owen looks like he should be in the Stone Roses

Report this comment

Gorlmouth

Thursday, November 1, 2012
How about a candle burning for charity Cliff?

Report this comment

Paul Morley

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Is it really necessary to have 3 articles on Waxworks museum and yes it's Cliff, take a look at the one for Jim Davidson, really pathetic.

Report this comment

Spooky

Thursday, November 1, 2012
It can,t be Cliff Richard can it ?

Report this comment

Albert Cooper

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Yarmouth dosn't want tourists, they charge them to park for starters

Report this comment

billythebookie

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Multimedia

Great Yarmouth House of Wax

Photo gallery

Update: Great Yarmouth House of Wax - ‘A first class opportunity for any entrepreneur.’ What do you think?

Multimedia

Other News Articles