A YORK-based attraction operator has revealed ambitious expansion plans as it completes a 12-year lease renewal on one of its seven sites.

Continuum Leading Attractions, based in Margaret Street, has announced plans to double its attraction portfolio over the next five years.

The ambitions were revealed as Continuum renewed the lease of its Spinnaker Tower attraction in Portsmouth to 2026.

The firm, which also operates York’s Chocolate Story and the newly-opened Coronation Street: The Tour, signed the extended lease of the tower with Portsmouth City Council.

Bosses at Continuum say the renewal of the 170m tall Spinnaker Tower operation comes as sales for its ‘Corrie Tour’ proves there is "significant commercial value yet to be mined in the breadth of Britain’s popular culture, old and new".

Juliana Delaney, chief executive at Continuum, said: “I am delighted to extend our lease with Portsmouth City Council, marking the first step towards our aspirational growth targets.

“Next year will see us celebrate ten years in mutually beneficial partnership with Portsmouth City Council, as Spinnaker Tower continues to amaze hundreds of thousands of local, regional, national and international visitors every year.

"The milestone is testimony to how our operation and close relationship with councils can be a huge advantage to the local economy.”

The Spinnaker Tower visitor attraction business is owned by Heritage Projects (Portsmouth) Ltd, which is part of Continuum Leading Attractions. The building was built and is owned by Portsmouth City Council.