The children’s pre-school brands, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™ and Fireman Sam™ arrived at the Albert Dock family entertainment centre in Liverpool, the first of its kind in Europe.  Inspiring play and activity, this indoor experience has been designed, manufactured and constructed by Lappset Group Oy from Rovaniemi, Finland. The indoor experience will officially open its doors to the public on 22 March 2016 and represents the first Mattel Play! in Europe. The operator of Mattel Play! Liverpool is Heritage Great Britain, one of the United Kingdom’s most significant experience tourism enterprises.

Fireman Sam is one of the most popular characters of Mattel Play. His world is now open to children and families in the first Mattel Play Liverpool family entertainment attraction in Europe.

Graham Dentith, General Manager of Mattel Play! Liverpool, said:

“We’re so pleased and excited to be finally opening our doors to families.”

“I hope everyone will get as much fun and enjoyment from visiting Mattel Play! Liverpool as we had from creating it.”

Heritage Great Britain PLC is the owner and operator of Mattel Play! Liverpool, along with iconic tourist attractions across the UK including Land’s End, The Needles Landmark Attraction and Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Allan Leech, CEO of Heritage Great Britain, comments:

“After months of planning and preparation, we’re delighted to reveal this new concept which is a first for Liverpool."

“Everyone’s pulled together to make this happen and we’re grateful to all our city partners, along with Lappset Creative and their team from Finland who built the attraction.”

According to Johan Granholm, Director of Lappset Creative, the Liverpool attraction is an exciting new experience, the first of its kind developed in cooperation with Mattel and Heritage Great Britain.

The Mattel Play! Liverpool facility covers a total play area of 1.192 square metres, with each branded theme area covering approximately 300 square metres. The attraction also includes a restaurant, shop, themed party rooms and green screen experience. 

Bob The Builder awaits all children to join playing. The Mattel Play Liverpool site is owned and operated by Heritage Great Britain, one of the UK’s best known brands of outstanding destinationas and visitor attractions.

The attraction has been produced at Lappset’s factory based in Rovaniemi and was installed by Lappset’s own team.

Further information available from:
- Johan Granholm, Lappset Creative Division Director, tel. +358 40 532 4183, johan.granholm@lappset.com www.lappsetcreative.fi
- Heritage Great Britain, http://www.heritagegb.co.uk/
- Mattel, http://www.mattel.com www.facebook.com/mattel www.twitter.com/mattel
- Albert Dock Liverpool, www.albertdock.com

Thomas&Friends is one of the most beloved children’s characters of Mattel. Thomas has now opened his world familiar from the TV programmes to all children to play at the Mattel Play Liverpool indoor family entertainment attraction.

About Lappset Group Oy

Lappset Group Oy is Europe’s leading manufacturer of playground and fitness park equipment, and themed activity parks and is based in Rovaniemi, Finland. Lappset is one of the largest companies of its sector in Europe. Lappset Creative is the division of the company responsible for the theme park business and has cooperative agreements with worldwide brands, such as Mattel Inc. The development of themed activity parks commenced in 2010 with the Angry Birds brand and quickly expanded to take on a wide range of other well-known brands. The Lappset Group comprises subsidiaries in six different nations, with its parent company located in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland. Lappset’s distribution network stretches out over approximately 50 nations from Canada to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. www.lappset.fi www.lappsetcreative.fi

About Heritage Great Britain plc

Headquartered on Albert Dock in Liverpool, Heritage Great Britain plc is the brand behind some of the UK's most outstanding destinations and visitor attractions, from The Needles Landmark Attraction on the Isle of Wight to the coastal splendour of Land's End in West Cornwall and remote John O'Groats in the far north of Scotland. In between, Snowdon Mountain Railway takes passengers on the journey of a lifetime to the rooftop of Wales, whilst Lightwater Valley Theme Park offers guests a thrilling day out in the heart of North Yorkshire. With a combined total of over 2.5 million annual visitors across its portfolio, Heritage Great Britain plc strives to sensitively maintain and responsibly develop its attractions, whilst providing ongoing and stimulating days.

About Mattel

The Mattel family of companies (Nasdaq: MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. Mattel’s portfolio of best-selling brands includes Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever produced, Hot Wheels®, Monster High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People® and Power Wheels®, MEGA® Brands, including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and in 2014 ranked No. 5 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel’s companies employ nearly 30,000 people in 40 countries and territories and sell products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play. Visit us at www.mattel.com, http://www.facebook.com/mattel or www.twitter.com/mattel.

© 2016 Gullane (Thomas) Limited
© 2016 Hit Entertainment Limited and Keith Chapman
© 2016 Prism Art & Design Limited. The Fireman Sam name and character are trademarks of Prism Art & Design Limited.

About Albert Dock Liverpool

From an industrial past to dereliction, to its revival in 1988, today Albert Dock is the North West’s most-visited free tourist attraction and a must-see destination for families, couples and large groups. Located on the city’s iconic World Heritage waterfront, Albert Dock boasts a host of world-class galleries and museums - including Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story and Merseyside Maritime Museum - restaurants, bars, hotels and shops - all within the stunning architectural setting of the UK’s largest collection of Grade I listed buildings. Over 6 million people visit Albert Dock each year. For more information on all upcoming events at Albert Dock, please visit www.albertdock.com.