Latest revision as of 16:08, 31 December 2020

Madam Tussauds and India

[edit] 2017: Launch in India

The New Delhi Madame Tussauds, the 22nd in the world, is scheduled for a mid-2017 launch at Regal Cinema in Connaught Place
The Times of India

See graphic:

The New Delhi Madame Tussauds, the 22nd in the world, is scheduled for a mid-2017 launch at Regal Cinema in Connaught Place

[edit] 2020-21: permanent closure

Amin Ali, December 29, 2020: The Times of India

Madame Tussauds Museum , New Delhi
From: Amin Ali, December 29, 2020: The Times of India

Madame Tussauds Museum , New Delhi-I
From: Amin Ali, December 29, 2020: The Times of India

From sitting in a rickshaw pulled by Salman Khan and raising a bat with Sachin Tendulkar to standing beside PM Narendra Modi and rubbing shoulders with Leonardo diCaprio, Madame Tussauds provided Indians the opportunity to be part of a global infatuation with wax statues. But the outlet at Connaught place is shutting shop, with Merlin Entertainments, the parent company, deciding to exit the country.

Confirming this, Anshul Jain, general manager and director, Merlin Entertainments India, told TOI, “Merlin Entertainments can confirm it will permanently close Madame Tussauds Delhi in Connaught Place.” Jain said the attraction was temporarily closed in March 2020 in line with the Covid-19 regulations and while Madame Tussauds remained popular in India, Jain said the current climate allowed the UK-based company the opportunity to look at alternatives to its presence in India.

Vikram Bakshi, the property owner, admitted it was a big loss for the city as a lot of effort and investment had gone into setting up this global tourist attraction. He revealed that top civic officials had facilitated fast approvals to enable the brand’s entry in the country. He said the project involved a lot of investment and the company's withdrawal from India meant the withdrawal of that investment too.

Bakshi claimed he did everything possible from waiving the rental for the lockdown months to reducing the rent, but the company had decided to move on. He said the Connaught Place premises were vacated a few days ago on mutually cordial terms and the statues will be sent to Madame Tussauds outlets in other cities around the world.

Jain added, “Merlin Entertainments would like to thank all the partners that worked closely with the attraction as well as all the guests who visited since its opening in November 2017.” Retail experts familiar with the developments explained that keeping Madame Tussauds operational was cost intensive because the waxwork needed a specific temperature and daily maintenance. “Keeping it closed came at a huge operating cost and big daily expenses despite the rent waiver,” said a franchising expert.

Another franchising expert observed that the Delhi branch of the show never became as big an attraction as it is abroad, attributing this to issues such as lack of parking, poor accessibility, high ticket prices and lack of visitor engagement, making it a one-time experience.

Rehan Huck, a retail and franchising expert, said 2020 was a difficult year for highstreet outlets across the globe, especially in business districts. Pointing out that Merlin was exiting some other countries as well, Huck said, “Properties that feed on tourist inflow or public gathering are struggling universally. With tourism and gatherings restricted for the next few months, it is commercially unviable for many brands across the world to operate. With public gatherings not looking possible for some more time to come, it is sad but inevitable that Madame Tussauds opts to shut shop.”