Latest news with #LSC
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office: Aamir Khan starrer tops 250cr worldwide but misfires overseas
Sitaare Zameen Par has nearly wrapped up its international box office run, grossing just over USD 200K in its fourth weekend. The total overseas collection of the film now stands at USD 7.80 million (Rs. 67 crore). The Aamir Khan starrer managed a run in India, but overseas it has been subpar. The worldwide gross for the film stands at Rs. 254 crore, largely driven by its domestic haul. SZP falls short of Laal Singh Chaddha Overseas To put things in perspective, the overseas biz of Sitaare Zameen Par is still short of Laal Singh Chaddha, which was a DISASTER. By the end of its run, it will probably get even with it but that is despite the Middle East business being more than double that of LSC, which implies the rest of the markets have fared significantly worse. The film had a soft start but showed promise with a big growth on Saturday. At that point, it looked like it might cruise past USD 10 million, possibly even stretching to USD 15 million with strong legs. However, it came back of earth soon after on Sunday and the trend since then has been rather ordinary. The film has underperformed across the board, but the United States is the biggest letdown. Traditionally, the strongest market for Aamir and generally friendly to films of this genre, the US turnout was tepid, set to close under USD 2 million. The best performer is ironically the Middle East, ironic because generally films like this underperform here. So, just a weird set of performances. Will China come to the rescue? Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to release in the East Asian markets later this year, including China. Aamir Khan is the biggest name from Indian cinema in China, who has delivered two mega blockbusters in Dangal and Secret Superstar. How SZP performs in China could change the entire narrative of the film; however, that market is struggling lately, so it's unclear how that will go at this moment. The territorial breakdown for Sitaare Zameen Par overseas box office is as follows:
North Wales Live
24-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
'Displaced' parking issues 'another nail in the coffin for tourism'
Rising costs at Conwy's public car parks are reportedly "displacing" demand to other facilities within the county. This month saw the introduction of parking charges at a previously free-to-use spot on Llandudno's Great Orme. North Wales Live readers are fed up with seeing charges rise at council car parks. Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC) claimed it had no choice but to implement fees due to an influx of visitors deterred by escalating costs at the council's summit car park. Manager Nigel Treacy noted that others were being directed to the site from town centre car parks. He stated: "Some people were being sent here by local hotels. They recommended us because the parking was free. We know this because we heard it from hotel guests." As of June, a parking fee of £2 for up to six hours has been enforced, managed by Parking Eye. The change has already caught some regulars off guard: one father, watching his son on the ski slope, voiced his frustration online after receiving a £100 fine – reduced to £60 if paid within 28 days. He grumbled: "I always thought it was free as have never paid before." In recent years, Conwy Council has gradually increased parking charges to compensate for reduced income from the Welsh Government. Prices fluctuate depending on location, but typically start at £1.50 for one hour, rising to £7.50 for four hours. Some promenade parking now begins at £5.50. This strategy includes finding new sources of income and reducing expenditure on non-essential services. The Council acknowledges that raising parking fees is one of the "difficult choices" it faces in its efforts to manage financial pressures. In light of these developments, Mr Treacy felt it necessary to implement charges at LSC to ensure parking availability for patrons. He shared that feedback suggests their rates are still considered very reasonable: "People tell us we're still too cheap!" he remarked. Commenter Islandgirl60 says: 'I always park at the railway station in Llandudno. Never full and very reasonable!' Jonesey1 replies: 'Great, but that's a bit of a hike to and from the town centre!' Daffyddthomas thinks: 'The fees for 6 hours are very reasonable, in fact everywhere should charge, but locals should go free or have a reduced rate.' Captcheese retorts: 'As if they'll make it free for the locals! They should but they won't. I would not go anywhere near an APNR car park - Parking Eye in particular. Leave after 5 minutes after finding you don't have change, then look forward to a £60 'fine' in the post - or whatever they chose to call it because it's not a fine.' Lucy1967 adds: 'It would be difficult to implement that as how could you prove that you were local? I agree that it's a reasonable price, but the company they are using are callous to charge if you are a couple of mins over, a few mins grace should be given at least.' Davey Chester writes: 'My wife and I used to regularly visit Llandudno and spend 6 to 8 hours there. We no longer visit because of the cost of parking. It's ridiculous the cost of some car parks. But, it's Llandudno's loss and we know we are not the only people who have taken this view.' Emileeee thinks: 'Another nail in the coffin for tourism, almost as though they don't want anyone visiting Wales.' Paul Wilson agrees: 'Any excuse to line the pockets and hit the motorists.' Bruce Garbett adds: 'I planned on returning to Anglesea [sic] for another 10 days in the next couple of months. What with speed restrictions and parking plus overhead barriers in parking places I am having serious thoughts about going now. Probably spend my cash elsewhere.' Anthony Stockton points out: 'The car park was full all the time, I don't blame them for doing this, there was no room for customers to park.' Mildred Bartholemew states: 'Parking fees are stupid prices nowadays not everyone earns the wages for them. We should appreciate that people want to come to these landmarks and put a thought towards the minimum wage people.' David Kirkwood replies: 'Tell that to Denbighshire CC who have raised times for paid parking in Rhyl to 11pm!! Even theatre patrons have to pay plus locals who just want to have a stroll on the beach and seafront. Talk about kicking a town already on its knees.'
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces
Parking fees at famous Welsh landmark triggers hunt for 'free' spaces Conwy County Council introduced charges to the Great Orme's summit car park and it's had an immediate effect elsewhere A view of Llandudno's Great Orme from above Dwygyfylchi (Image: David Powell ) Conwy's rising public car park fees are reportedly shifting demand to other facilities within the area. This month, parking charges were introduced at a previously free popular spot on Llandudno's Great Orme. Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC) states that rising parking fees at the council's summit car park left them with no choice but to impose their own charges due to the influx of visitors looking for cheaper options. Nigel Treacy, the centre's manager, has observed people turning to his site from pricier town centre parking, with local hotels directing guests there due to free parking. "Some people were being sent here by local hotels," he revealed. "They recommended us because the parking was free. We know this because we heard it from hotel guests." The Llandudno Snowsports Centre's car park which was previously free (Image: Google ) With effect from June, Parking Eye is overseeing the new LSC parking fee of £2 for up to six hours. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Despite the change, some regulars were unprepared; a father who received a £100 fine while watching his son ski vented frustration online, which would drop to £60 if paid within 28 days, reports North Wales Live. Article continues below "I always thought it was free as have never paid before," he lamented. Amidst reductions in funding from the Welsh Government, Conwy Council has consistently raised parking rates over recent years. Charge rates do vary, yet they generally range from £1.50 for an hour up to £7.50 for a four-hour stay, with some seafront spots starting at £5.50. Previously free car parks have also seen the introduction of pay-and-display, with recent upgrades leading to charges at sites in Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan. The Council has cited stretched budgets as the reason for this change, stating it's striving to safeguard essential services within the county. The strategy involves enhancing revenue while scaling back on non-critical services. The council acknowledges that raising parking fees is one of the "difficult choices" it faces in its efforts to manage financial pressures. In Llandudno, where parking demand spikes during the tourist season, plans are afoot for a new "summer" car park, with rates beginning at £2.30 for an hour. Amid these developments, Mr Treacy has decided to implement charges at LSC to ensure parking availability for patrons. He remarked that some customers feel their rates are still too low, saying: "People tell us we're still too cheap!". He compared their pricing, saying: "£2 for up to six hours equates to 33p per hour. In contrast, the (Great Orme) summit car park is £5.50 for up to four hours, equivalent to £1.37 per hour – more than four times as much." LSC's facilities have seen significant investment, including a £300,000 refurbishment five years ago of its 200-metre dry ski slope – the longest in Wales – which now features a more bouncier surface and a 300-head sprinkler system. Additionally, LSC boasts the longest Cresta Toboggan run which is also the longest at 575 metres, as well as with Sno-tubing and "Alpine" crazy golf. Publicity for the new parking charges commenced a month prior to their implementation, leaving Mr Treacy somewhat puzzled as to how any customers could be oblivious to them. "We sat down with the operator and looked at the factors people were most concerned about with parking," he said. "Signage is a big issue – drivers often complain they're not aware of charging. "So we've covered the site in parking signs. They are four provided signs at the entrances, and 13 in the car parks and around the building. We've also paid for an extra 24 signs around the site. "Staff have been instructed to remind customers upon arrival – the last thing we want is for people to incur fines. "We also have multiple ways of paying – coins, contactless and online – and we have a 35-minute grace period without the need to pay: the industry standard is 10 minutes. This is for people who need to make quick bookings or for motorists who accidentally drive up here." The main car park, along with a smaller one located slightly downhill, now feature pay-and-display machines. They can be accessed via a single-lane road through Happy Valley gardens. Both facilities have been labelled as "basic", being gravelled surfaces first installed in 1986 and currently showing signs of wear. LSC has long harboured plans to refurbish them. "Eight years ago we looked at surfacing them with Tarmac but it was felt they would deteriorate too quickly without expensive new drainage," explained Mr Treacy. Initial designs have been proposed for new car parks estimated to cost about £250,000. Yet, justifying such expenditure is challenging given the current frosty economic conditions, particularly within leisure and tourism industries. Article continues below The introduction of new parking fees is anticipated to mitigate financial risks. "We going to need a lot of cars paying £2 a time to get near the target," Mr Treacy remarked.
North Wales Live
22-06-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Conwy's soaring parking fees leaves Great Orme site swamped and forced to act
Soaring fees at Conwy's public car parks are 'displacing" demand to other facilities in the county, it's been claimed. Parking charges were this introduced this month at a popular spot on Llandudno's Great Orme that's long been free to use. Llandudno Snowsports Centre (LSC) said it had little option but to start charging because it was being swamped by visitors deterred by rising fees at the council's summit car park. Manager Nigel Treacy said others were gravitating to the site from town centre car parks. 'Some people were being sent here by local hotels,' he said. 'They recommended us because the parking was free. We know this because we heard it from hotel guests." From the start of June, a parking charge of £2 for up to six hours was introduced, overseen by Parking Eye. Some regulars have already been caught out by the switch: this week a dad watching his son on the ski slope complained of receiving a £100 fine – reduced to £60 if paid within 28 days. 'I always thought it was free as have never paid before,' he grumbled online. In recent years Conwy Council has steadily upped parking charges to off-set dwindling income from the Welsh Government. Prices vary by location but fees typically start at £1.50 for one hour, up to £7.50 for four hours. Some promenade parking now starts at £5.50. Previously free car parks have also been targeted, with pay-and-display recently introduced at facilities in Llanrwst and Llanfairfechan following planned upgrades. Council Council said its budgets are stretched and it's doing everything it can to protect vital services in the county. This includes boosting revenue as well as cutting back on non-essential services. Increasing parking fees are among the "difficult choices" it's having to make, said the local authority. In Llandudno, peak season demand for parking is so high that the local authority is currently consulting on a new 'summer' car park. Prices will start at £2.30 for one hour. It is against this background that Mr Treacy felt compelled to start charging at LSC, to safeguard spaces for customers. 'People tell us we're still too cheap!' he said. '£2 for up to six hours equates to 33p per hour. In contrast, the (Great Orme) summit car park is £5.50 for up to four hours, equivalent to £1.37 per hour – more than four times as much.' Five years ago the centre's 200-metre dry ski slope – the longest in Wales – underwent a £300,000 upgrade – to create a bouncier surface lubricated by a 300-head sprinkler system. LSC also offers a Cresta Toboggan run which, at 575 metres, is also the longest in Wales, as well as Sno-tubing and 'Alpine' crazy golf. Publicity for the new parking charges began a month before they were introduced. It's left Mr Treacy slightly mystified as to how any customers would be unaware of them. 'We sat down with the operator and looked at the factors people were most concerned about with parking,' he said. 'Signage is a big issue – drivers often complain they're not aware of charging. "So we've covered the site in parking signs. They are four provided signs at the entrances, and 13 in the car parks and around the building. We've also paid for an extra 24 signs around the site. 'Staff have been asked to remind customers when they come in – the last thing we want is to see people being fined. 'We also have multiple ways of paying – coins, contactless and online – and we have a 35-minute grace period without the need to pay: the industry standard is 10 minutes. This is for people who need to make quick bookings or for motorists who accidentally drive up here.' The main car park, and smaller one, a little downhill, now have pay-and-display machines. They're acessed via a single-lane road up through Happy Valley gardens. Both facilities have been described as 'basic', being gravelled surfaces first laid in 1986 and now suffering from erosion. LSC has long aimed to upgrade them. 'Eight years ago we looked at surfacing them with Tarmac but it was felt they would deteriorate too quickly without expensive new drainage,' said Mr Treacy. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Preliminary designs have now been drawn up for new parking facilities costing around £250,000. However it's hard to justify the outlay when the economic climate is chilly, especially in the lesiure and tourism sectors. It's hoped to new parking charges will help offset the risk. 'We going to need a lot of cars paying £2 a time to get near the target,' added Mr Treacy.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Nagaland CM launches INR 198.57 cr education and sports development push across state
KOHIMA: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday virtually laid foundation stones for nine schools and inaugurated six sports and recreational infrastructure projects across the state. Under the Nagaland Education Project - The Lighthouse (NECTAR) of the Department of School Education, Rio laid the foundation of Lighthouse School Complexes (LSCs) in nine districts, according to an official statement. Funded by the World Bank, the LSCs are envisioned as model schools with all facilities required to function as hubs of academic excellence. On December 1 last year, the chief minister also laid the foundation stones of the seven other LSCs. The total cost for the construction of the 16 LSCs is estimated at Rs 198.57 crore, the statement said. Under the NECTAR project, one LSC each will be developed in the 16 districts of Nagaland. LSCs would reach out to the socio-economically disadvantaged groups to provide learning spaces with adequate resources for children with special needs, the statement said. Those institutes would be set up in Chumoukedima, Phek, Kiphire, Zunheboto, Shamator, Noklak, Longleng, Mokokchung and Dimapur districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The education sector is undergoing significant reforms in the state, Rio said at the programme held in the chief minister's residential complex here. Rio commended the School Education Department and the NECTAR project for their innovative work which aims to transform classrooms and teaching methods and change the entire ecosystem of schools in the state. He thanked the Union Ministry of Education and the funding partners for their continued support and partnership. The initiatives would help the students of Nagaland compete with others from within and outside the state, Rio said. The CM also inaugurated six sports and recreational facilities across the state. The facilities include a wrestling centre in Dimapur district, a mini stadium in Wokha district and a multidisciplinary sports stadium in Shamator district. "These facilities will serve as centres to nurture excellence, express creativity, foster talent, growth, and excellence. Supported by central schemes including North Eastern Council, Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources, and Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, these projects are symbols of opportunity and progress," Rio posted on his social media handle. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
