Mo Chaudry

Waterworld Makes the Green Grade

2008-09-27 07:35:00

An Energy Performance Certificate prepared for the UKs largest waterpark has earned the attraction top marks for energy efficiency. Chairman of the Staffordshire park and serial entrepeneur, Mo Chaudry, was delighted to find that the building scored a 'B' on the government's scale, two marks above the benchmark for existing buildings of its type.

SECRET MILLIONAIRE HONOURED

2008-07-09 20:38:00

TVs Secret Millionaire Mo Chaudry is proud to be receiving an honorary degree from Staffordshire University where he studied sports science. Entrepreneur Mo will be making history because he is the only person to be honoured by both of the countys universities in the same year - earlier this summer Mo was awarded an honorary degree by Keele University. He will be presented his honorary title from Staffordshire University by Vice-Chancellor Professor Christine King CBE, DL on Wednesday, July 9, at 10.30am.

Extremists recruit school children

2008-05-14 00:20:00

By Mo Chaudry Recent headlines such as Extremists recruit school children and BNP makes big inroads in Stoke naturally get media attention. But why do these things happen? And what can we do to solve disharmony?

Mo forces pace on unwanted nuptials

2008-04-07 00:34:00

ASIAN entrepreneur Mo Chaudry says he wants forced marriages to be outlawed after meeting Conservative leader David Cameron to discuss them. The millionaire Waterworld owner met with the Tory chief in Bradford yesterday, as part of a campaign to criminalise people who make young brides or grooms wed.

Mo takes marriage vow

2008-04-03 00:39:00

MILLIONAIRE entrepreneur Mo Chaudry has spoken out against forced marriages in the Asian community. While he has no objection to arranged marriages, the highprofile owner of Festival Park attraction Waterworld, is backing a campaign to help people pushedinto marriage against their will even though he says his view will be met with hostility by some. This week Pakistan-born MrChaudry visited a refuge in Derby for people trying to escape forced marriages, and heard stories of family intimidation and violence. He said: Im running the risk of a backlash, but thats how I live my life. If you are going to run scared of people, you will never get anything done. Im not looking for trouble, but I have strong views about it. I dont think any human being can endorse forced marriages. Im not going against any community, Im just expressing my view that human beings need to be treated like human beings, whether they are male or female. I dont see why women should be treated as second-rate citizens.

FIRST NATIONAL FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE LAUNCHED

2008-04-02 23:52:00

FRIDAY 11 APRIL FIRST NATIONAL FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE LAUNCHED A new national helpline for victims of forced marriage and honour-based violence, part-funded by the Forced Marriage Unit, was launched today by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker. The Honour Network, run by the charity Karma Nirvana is a dedicated forced marriage and honour-based violence helpline, staffed by survivors offering emotional and practical support. Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: This helpline run by survivors, for survivors, is a big step in the fight to raise awareness of the issues of forced marriage and honour-based violence and is crucial in giving victims across the country the confidence to come forward.

FT REPORT 29th March 2008

2008-03-29 00:00:00

FT REPORT - WEEKEND MONEY Street fighter with nous wants to make a bigger splash. By JONATHAN GUTHRIE 1498 words 29 March 2008 Financial Times London Ed1 Page 23 English (c) 2008 The Financial Times Limited. All rights reserved

In The Money

2008-03-12 00:29:00

Christina Savvas talks to entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Mo Choudry about his recent return to poverty and how he wants to give something back to the community.

ETHNIC ENTREPRENEURS PROFIT AT AWARD BASH

2007-11-09 00:00:00

PRESS RELEASE

A rags-to-riches multi-millionaire has been named as one of Staffordshire's leading businessmen.

Mo Chaudry, 47, was presented with a surprise award when an organisation that champions commerce among ethnic minorities staged a special 'oscars' night.

The event was held by the Minority Business Association, which has more than 300 members across Staffordshire, The organisation is similar to chambers of commerce.

Property investor Mr Chaudry, who Chairs the Waterworld aqua Park and MIC Properties in Stoke-on-Trent, was given a special award for excellence in business.

Later, the one-time Telford doorman said he was now determined to work harder on community issues and added: "I have been all business, business, business - I believe now I should be making more of a contribution to society."

His determination to succeed stems from the day he failed eight out of nine O-levels at school.

"It was a shock to the system and it was a pivotal moment in my life. I vowed from that moment that I would never fail at anything I did in my life again and I would never stop trying," he added.

One of his plans involves creating Britains first urban leisure resort in his adopted city.

Mos father came to England from Pakistan in the 1960s to seek fortune but watched as his successful grocery business in Wellington, Telford hit the rocks. Mo and the rest of the family finally joined him in 1969.

Five other awards were presented at the ceremony at Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, for Best Ethnic Business Of The Year, Most Positive Contribution To Staffordshire, Female Business Person Of The Year, Young Entrepreneur Of The Year and Best Business Start-Up Of The Year.

Women scooped three awards - Parveen Siddique, owner of Pakistani restaurant Thornbury Hall in Cheadle, Alka Jani, who owns Alka Beauty and Skincare, and renowned make-up artist Zara Kamran.

Pritpal Singh Nagi, chairman of Minority Business Association, said: "The awards recognise the contribution ethnic minority businesses make to our local and regional economy."

PICTURES OF MO AVAILABLE

6.5 millionth customer

2007-07-27 00:00:00

PRESS RELEASE/26th July 2007 Thousands of people in the rain-lashed Midlands are getting away from the wet weather by heading for a theme park based on water. Management at one of the regions top leisure attractions, Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent, say takings have soared since the streets became awash. Only this week the company welcomed its 6.5 millionth customer through the turnstiles.........

The power in the Potteries

2007-07-20 00:00:00

Stoke's directly elected mayor has created a unified regeneration agency and brought in private business to help shape strategic policy. Only reform will foster regeneration, he says. "This was the old steelworks," says Mark Meredith, gesturing through clouds of steam at the pools and flumes of Stoke-on-Trent's Waterworld. "When the steelworks closed, the city's leaders were brave:...

Ice rink plans could be just the beginning

2006-11-25 00:00:00

PLANS to build an ice rink and expand the citys most popular tourist attraction are the latest moves by entrepreneur Mo Chaudry to create a major leisure complex in Stoke-on-Trent.

The £60 million development is a culmination of five years work for the 46-year-old, who hopes his plans will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Pakistan-born Mr Chaudry bought Waterworld at a knockdown price from Rank in 1999 and has since invested heavily in transforming the site.

The businessman, who this week returned from a trip to his home country aimed at building links between the two countries, recently completed a £2.5 million extension and facelift at the aqua park, which now employs 150 people.

He said: In order for Waterworld to become a national attraction we have to really develop and expand.

This development has taken me five years to plan and demonstrates my complete commitment to North Staffordshire.

The aim is to increase visitors to 750,000 each year.

This project is also about raising aspirations, changing the image of North Staffordshire and encouraging people to be proud of Stoke-on-Trent.

Sherilee Bourne, aged 39, of Stoke, welcomed the plan.

She said: I think an ice rink would be really good. At the moment there is nothing like that around here, people have to go to Tamworth, to the Snowdome. I wouldnt use it much, because I would just fall over, but the kids would certainly use it....

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Tycoons casino plans for derelict nightclub

2006-10-23 00:00:00

WATERWORLD chief executive Mo Chaudry may open a casino, bowling alley or bingo hall in Newcastle town centre if his bid to buy a former nightclub is successful.

The entrepreneur has revealed a deal to buy the former Metropolis nightclub, on High Street, is almost signed.

The development – which is likely to include apartments on the upper floors in addition to any leisure attractions – is being co-ordinated by private investment company MIC Properties, of which Mr Chaudry is chairman.

Mr Chaudry, who was listed in a survey as being among the top 400 property players in the UK, said: “The Metropolis site is 20,000 square foot, has a long history and is in a prime position.

“As a local company we thought it really ought to stay in local hands.

“We want to do a number of exciting things with it.

“This will also fit in with Newcastle Borough Council’s long-term town centre improvement plan ensuring we attract and retain local retailers.

“We are considering a number of options with it.

“One option is a mixed-use development of the site with retail, leisure and housing.”...

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Subway to make a splash at waterworld

2006-04-10 00:00:00

A BOOMING sandwich chain is to open a new store at Stoke-on-Trent's most popular tourist attraction. U.S. owned Subway has signed a 15-year lease for a 1,200 sq ft site at Waterworld on Festival Park, which is due to open in July.

The £120,000 investment by the chain is part of a £10 million masterplan by entrepreneur Mo Chaudry to offer a complete entertainment experience and become one of the UK's top short-break destinations.

The opening of the ninth Subway in the region, which will create around 20 new jobs, is pary of an ambitious expansion drive by the group, which already has 630 stores and plans to have more than 2010 in the UK by 2010. The chain is also keen to open up more stores in non-traditional places such as univerisites, railway stations and hospitals.

Frank Beckford, Waterworld store franchisee, said: "With more than 400,000 people visiting the aqua park every year, this new store is a really exciting project to be involved with and has the potential to be extremely successful...

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Feeling on top of the world

2006-02-13 00:00:00

EACH week we ask a figure from business to describe an experience which best illustrates their drive in the worlds f work and life. This week Mo Chaudry, the owner of leisure attraction Water World, reveals the challenges he faced to overcome the mental and physical barriers of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

THROUGHOUT my life, whether in business or personally, I have always tried to push myself one step further, to see what I was made of.

I’ve done trips such as the route that Lawrence of Arabia took in Africa – I did it by mountain bike. I’ve climbed Snowdon and Scafell Pike, but I wanted to go that step further. Mount Kilimanjaro provided that challenge. At 19,000 feet, it is one of the highest mountains in the world, but you can walk up it, which makes a lot of people think about tackling it. Deep down I was worried because you don’t know how you’re going to react to being at that height. Unlike Everest, where climbers have weeks to acclimatise, this is something that you do in less than a week....

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Aqua Park Splashes The Cash

2006-01-14 00:00:00

THREE new rides and a tropical beach will form part of a £10 million plan to create a new hotel at a top tourist attraction.

Waterworld boss Mo Chaudry said the hotel, which will allow visitors access to the aqua park at Festival Park, is aimed at tapping into the booming short breaks market.

The development will include three new bigger, better and faster rides, a beach with real sand and a health and fitness centre which will increase employment at the attraction from 125 to 300.

It is anticipated that the hotel development, which will be next door to the Moat House, will increase visitor numbers to 500,000 and bring a further £7 million into the regions economy.

Mr Chaudry, who is currently in talks with a hotel operator, said a facelift was needed to turn the business around after spiralling costs and a drop in visitors number to below 400,000.

He said: This will take Waterworld into the 21st century.We are head and shoulders above the rest in the UK in terms of an aqua park but we want to go further than that and create a leisure world where visitors will come and spend a few days....

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Major investment to transform water park

2006-01-14 00:00:00

A £10 million investment to transform Stoke-on-Trents most popular tourist attraction is the latest move by entrepreneur Mo Chaudry to create a leisure empi re.

The 45-year-old father of three said the aqua park needed to evolve to offer a complete entertainment experience to become one of the UKs top short-break destinations.

Pakistan born Mr Chaudry bought the Waterworld site at a knock-down price from Rank in 1999 and has since invested heavily in the facilities.

Around £3.5m has been injected into the development of the site, which now employs 125 people.

He said: This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for Waterworld but for the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It provides the opportunity to regenerate without money from the public sector.

If we achieve our aim, which is to become a premier league leisure attraction in the UK, we can bring a further £7 million into the North Staffordshire economy.Plans to expand the attraction and create the citys third hotel have been welcomed by tourism officials.

Stoke-on-Trent tourism manager Jane Randall, said: Any plans that a private sector developer has, particularly Waterworld which is a well established tourist attraction, to expand their facilities and benefit tourism are welcome and we would be very supportive.

It is really positive news for the Stoke-on-Trent area.

The aqua park attracts an average of 400,000 visitors each year.

However in the last 18 months the business has suffered from rising utility, employment and health and safety costs and a 10 per cent drop in admissions.

Mr Chaudry said: We have struggled in the last year but we just cant just sit here and let the business decay.

We must re-invent ourselves, especially in light of new competition from several public-funded schemes...

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Mo makes his mark on Britains Asian rich list

2005-04-13 00:00:00

SELF-MADE millionaire Mo Chaudry is ranked among the top 10 wealthiest Asians in the region thanks to the success of his tourist attraction Waterworld and property business.

The entrepreneur is a new entry into the Asian Rich List published and compiled by Dr Philip Beresford, a journalist who creates rich lists as a fulltime job.

The official index of Britain’s top 300 Asian millionaires puts the man behind the Festival Park fun pool in 111th place and estimates he’s worth around £21.5 million.

However, it is thought the most up-to-date figures show Mr Chaudry, who was born into a working-class family in Pakistan, is now worth £25 million to £30 million.

The 44-year-old said: “I had no say in being listed and, therefore, the figures are not entirely accurate because they are based on assets such as land and property

“However, I am very proud to be included in the list. My wealth is a reflection of my hard work and determination to make something of myself following a difficult childhood.....

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http://mo.digipigeon.com/downloads/Documents/Asian%20Rich%20List.pdf

High-fliers who run, jump and kick their way to the top

2005-01-09 00:00:00

LEADERSHIP may be something you are born with, but for industry chiefs and entrepreneurs in North Staffordshire it probably first showed up on the sports field.

New research reveals most captains of industry were already ambitious at school, having one or more leadership roles from an early age.

The report says successful businessmen and woman were not only top performers in class but were popular with their peers and had a range of interests.

But well-known faces in the local business community believe their ambitions became more apparent on the sports field.

Millionaire Mo Chaudry, chief executive of WaterWorld, believes failing academically at school was a turning point in his life. In contrast, his sporting abilities shone
through and he draws a lot of parallels between sport and business.

“I didn’t have any positions of responsibility at school other than sport. I was captain of the cricket team, I played rugby and did athletics.

“I wasn’t a prefect. I was a rebel and actually used to ignore the prefects. I think sport reflects personal attitude and aptitude. You have to be organised and you must be able to gain the respect of your peers. Playing sport gives you a feeling of control and confidence, which filters through into working life....

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Waterworld aqua park has completed a £500,000 refurbishment

2004-06-16 00:00:00

Swimmers leave city pool legless

2004-05-13 00:00:00

Mo Chaudry looking to buy Port Vale Football club.....

2003-02-17 00:00:00

Waterworld Boss Unveils £60m Vision

0000-00-00 00:00:00

AN ICE rink will form part of a £60 million leisure and residential complex aimed at doubling visitors to Stoke-on-Trents most popular tourist attraction.

Waterworld boss Mo Chaudry has unveiled plans for the development of 230 waterside apartments, 35 mews houses, three new restaurants, a fitness centre and hotel, which will increase employment at the attraction from 150 to 350.

The self-made millionaire plans to sell the land for the housing development to bankroll investment in the aqua park and create an ice rink and hotel, aimed at tapping into the booming short breaks market.

The plans have emerged after the completion of phase one of his master plan a £2.5 million project which has created a new bar area, shop and amusement arcade and has seen the arrival of sandwich chain Subway and a Little Gym franchise. It is anticipated that the whole complex will increase visitor numbers from just under 400,000 to 750,000 and bring a further £20 million into the regions economy.

Mr Chaudry said the future of Waterworld would be in doubt if further investment was not ploughed into the site.

He added: This redevelopment is a fantastic opportunity to bring to life this problem area and open up the canal side for all to enjoy. The value of the land, once planning permission has been granted for the apartment and houses, should give me the funds to finance the expansion of Waterworld. So really it is a win-win situation....

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Mo Chaudry

Waterworld Makes the Green Grade

SECRET MILLIONAIRE HONOURED

Extremists recruit school children

Mo forces pace on unwanted nuptials

Mo takes marriage vow

FIRST NATIONAL FORCED MARRIAGE HELPLINE LAUNCHED

FT REPORT 29th March 2008

In The Money

ETHNIC ENTREPRENEURS PROFIT AT AWARD BASH

6.5 millionth customer

The power in the Potteries

Ice rink plans could be just the beginning

Tycoons casino plans for derelict nightclub

Subway to make a splash at waterworld

Feeling on top of the world

Aqua Park Splashes The Cash

Major investment to transform water park

Mo makes his mark on Britains Asian rich list

High-fliers who run, jump and kick their way to the top

Waterworld aqua park has completed a £500,000 refurbishment

Swimmers leave city pool legless

Mo Chaudry looking to buy Port Vale Football club.....

Waterworld Boss Unveils £60m Vision

Extremists recruit school children

Tycoons casino plans for derelict nightclub

Mo makes his mark on Britains Asian rich list