A FORMER painter and decorator is enjoying a unique second career by putting his artistic flair to good use at Gulliver’s Theme Park.

Darren Killilea from Haydock, who has been working at Gulliver’s World in Warrington for 19 years, has undertaken various roles at the theme park during this time.

But, when bosses found out about his artistic skills, he was given a new and very specialised role as a scenic artist.

The job means Darren is involved in adding his creative talents to a whole host of items and artwork on display around the resort, as well as at the company’s three other parks across the UK.

Darren, 39, said: “Prior to working for Gulliver’s, I had studied art at college but couldn’t decide what to specialise in so eventually went on to be a painter and decorator.

“A little time later I had a friend who worked for Gulliver’s and they told me what a lovely, friendly place it was to work so I decided to join the team initially as a retail assistant and face painter.

“After that I went into various roles within the business including in the retail division and even PA to a director before Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s, found out about my background and my passion for the creative side of things, which I had really started to miss.

“When the opportunity then came up at Gulliver’s to work on something a bit more creative as a scenic artist, I jumped at the chance and it spiralled from there.

“I am involved in so much and I absolutely love it. No two days are ever the same as one minute I can be painting pirate statues and the next I am making a giant cupcake or painting canvases for our hotel.

“I must have been involved in hundreds and hundreds of artwork and sculpture pieces around Gulliver’s World and our other sites.

“I was lucky enough to be involved in the preparation of our newest resort Gulliver’s Valley in South Yorkshire which opened in 2020.

“The first time I visited the site it was a huge empty space, and it has been amazing to see it evolve to what it is now.

“In the run up to Christmas 2022, I decorated and titivated over 97 individual Christmas Tree’s and I have recently been giving our fibre glass models a makeover, I find that very satisfying as you can really see the difference when they are done. There is always plenty to do and I am often working on a few things at the same time, moving from job to job while I am waiting for the paint and glitter to dry!”

Gulliver’s World is currently looking for new staff to join its team in a variety of roles including catering, hotel, retail, rides and entertainment.

Darren added: “We are more like a family than a team of colleagues and I have met some of my closest friends working here.

“I would really recommend it to others as a fun place to work and I love to see our guests enjoying themselves, especially when you have helped create some of the magic for them. “When I joined Gulliver’s, I had no idea that 19 years later I would be still here and doing the job I am doing now.

“As a business, Gulliver’s is constantly developing and evolving and there are some exciting projects coming up in the near future so anyone thinking of applying to join the team I would encourage them to find out more.

“There are always lots of different career opportunities here and, as my experience shows, the managers really try and work with their staff to develop their personal skills and interests.”

For more information please visit: careers.gulliversfun.co.uk.