Qdos Entertainment
| Limited | |
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Scarborough |
Key people | Nick J Thomas |
| Website | qdosentertainment.co.uk |
Qdos Entertainment is one of the largest entertainment groups in Europe. Formed by Nick Thomas in 1999, it currently employs 1300 full-time staff across its businesses.[1] The company’s administration centres are in London’s Covent Garden and Scarborough with scenic & costume facilities in Beverley and Scarborough.
Pantomimes
Qdos Entertainment is the world’s largest pantomime producer,[2] with over 600 productions over the last 30 years. In the 2015/2016 season it will produce 24 pantomimes.[3]
Notable cast members include:
- David Hasselhoff, Brian Conley, Shane Richie, Julian Clary, Craig Revel Horwood, Gok Wan, Lisa Riley, Lesley Joseph, Christopher Biggins, Joe Pasquale, Nigel Havers and Jimmy Osmond.
Theatres and Hospitality
Qdos Entertainment’s subsidiary HQ Theatres & Hospitality Ltd is the second largest regional theatre operator in the UK.[4]
| Venue | Location | Contract Start Year[5] | Seated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wycombe Swan Theatre | High Wycombe | 2005 | 1076[6] |
| Wyvern Theatre | Swindon | 2005 | 635[7] |
| Cliffs Pavilion | Southend-on-Sea | 2006 | 1657[8] |
| Palace Theatre | Westcliff-on-Sea | 2006 | 611 |
| Orchard Theatre | Dartford | 2008 | 956[9] |
| Beck Theatre | Hayes | 2009 | 600[10] |
| White Rock Theatre | Hastings | 2009 | 1066[11] |
| G Live | Guildford | 2011 | 1031[12] |
| Watford Colosseum | Watford | 2011 | 1392[13] |
| Crewe Lyceum Theatre | Crewe | 2013 | 677[14] |
| Swindon Arts Centre | Swindon | 2014 | 200[15] |
The company also operates its own restaurants & bars in all HQ Theatres.[16]
Pub/Restaurants, Rooms and Cottages
HQ Theatres and Hospitality also owns and manages the award-winning[17] Copper Horse Restaurant & Cottages at Seamer near Scarborough, The Mayfield Hotel in Seamer [18] and The Plough Inn in Scalby in North Yorkshire plus numerous other accommodation properties offering in excess of 50 bedrooms.
Artiste Management
Qtalent (formerly International Artistes) alongside Qtalent (a voiceover agency) looks after a number of high-profile performers and actors as well as many of the UK’s top writers, producers and directors.
Cruise Ship Entertainment
The company supplies and maintains productions to Cunard Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth cruise ships and the new P&O Cruises ship Britannia.
Design and Print
A subsidiary company called Adverset Media Solutions is based in Scarborough and provides design, new media and printing services to the commercial, tourism and entertainment industries, in tandem with Qdos Entertainment’s extensive in-house requirements.
Holiday and Leisure Entertainment
In April 2014 the TED Group, which was part of the Qdos Entertainment Group, was sold through a Management Buy Out.[19]
References
- ↑ "The Stage / Reviews / The entertainment masters with the light touch - Nick Thomas and Jon Conway". The Stage. 2004. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ↑ "Qdos and FFE sell more than 2m tickets in record financial year". The Stage. 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
- ↑ "Qdos Pantomimes". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ Smith, Alistair. "ATG’s Live Nation purchase cleared by OFT". The Stage. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "About HQ Theatres". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Wycombe Swan". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Conferencing, Southend Theatres". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Orchard Theatre Dartford". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Beck Theatre, Hayes". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, White Rock Theatre, Hastings". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, G Live Guildford". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Watford Colosseum". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Venue Hire, Crewe Lyceum Theatre". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Seating Plans". Retrieved 3 April 2014.
- ↑ "HQ Theatres Hospitality". Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ Gerrard, Neil. "Ten winners of Les Routiers 2012 Awards announced". Caterer and HotelKeeper. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ "Futurist Task Group - Questions for Stakeholders" (PDF). Scarborough Borough Council. 2010. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- ↑ Quinn, Michael (3 April 2014). "TEDGroup breaks free from Qdos in management buy-out". Retrieved 28 May 2014.