Waterworld park sold after child death

Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent has been sold as a multi-agency inquiry continues into a child’s death at the site.

Waterworld park where four-year-old drowned sold to new owners

Waterworld, a water park at Festival Park in Stoke-on-Trent, has been sold in a multimillion pound deal to Looping Group, a European leisure operator with 21 parks. The seller is Mo Chaudry, who stepped down as Waterworld director on 31 July, four days before a four-year-old girl died at the site. Looping Group will take over the park and continue operations as it expands its regional footprint.

A multi-agency investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the child’s death. Authorities have not released findings or charges. Looping Group said it intends to work with local regulators on safety and compliance as the new owner.

The sale shows that investors still see value in leisure venues even after a tragedy. A strong operator like Looping Group can bring stability, but the change will be watched closely for how it affects safety practices and transparency. Public trust will hinge on clear information about safety upgrades, staffing, and incident reporting. The leadership change four days before the death adds an extra layer of scrutiny to governance and decision making during a crisis.

Highlights

The story of Waterworld will continue to unfold as ownership changes and investigations proceed.