Pleasureland Southport to Close FOREVER!

[ColinM]

just announced on our local TV news, Pleasureland Southport, UK will close its gates for good at the end of this season...

"no longer viable" was the excuse...

so the rumours turned out to be true...

very sad

 

Here is what was posted at southportforums including a copy of the lay-off letter the employees recieved:

http://www.southportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50364661

[SharkTums]

Dude, creepy...

 

Oh well, so now do we figure that Blackpool's new ride for next year is Traumatizer???

[robbalvey]

^ That was pretty much what I've heard!

 

BTW, if you want to check out what Pleasureland Southport was like, have a look at our video:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/videos/southportvideo.htm

 

--Robb "Will miss the wheel and the funhouse more than anything!" Alvey

[nemesis-storm]

That's absolutely terrible news in so many ways, including

 

1) Blackpool are removing a 'classic' log flume for what possibly could be a second hand SLC

 

2) 2 classic wooden coasters Cyclone & King Solomon's Mines, to go where?

 

I'm really sad to hear this, but kinda knew it was inevitable

[Carnage]

That's definetly a shame if it goes.

 

I just hope the wheel and wooden mouse can be saved.

 

Though I have to say I'm not surprised. Our ERT time at the park was great. But once the park opened and all the ankle biters flooded in I just wanted to get the hell out.

[SharkTums]

1) Yeah it looks like it...plus I can't believe they sold the Flume Boats for only £25 each!?!? Did any of our members get one? That would be awesome!

 

2) I'm guessing the trash heap. Similar to what's happening to lots of Wooden Coasters. Realistically, BPB does not need another Wooden Wild Mouse nor a worse Wooden coaster than they have. I can't really see any other park in the UK buying these woodies either.

 

I'm just hoping that maybe one of the smaller parks nearby will buy the funhouse? Or perhaps maybe the funhouse building could stay as more of a FEC?

 

Anyone have an actual article yet? I haven't found anything in writing.

[DarkStitch626]

AWWW MAN! Now I'll never get to ride "The wheel" Grrrrr! I wanted to so bad! This is depressing!

[CreativeForce]

Wow.

 

All I can say is thank you once again to R&E. If it weren't for the UK trip, this was probably a park I would have never gone to on my own.

 

If only the US weren't so litigious. The funhouse would be great at Kennywood or Knobels!

[Homer]

What the f***, why so soon, why so sudden?

 

Astroworld had a month, this only had like, a few hours...

 

Glad to see the people in charge of PBB are just like Kieran Burke!

 

To all you Brits, don't do peaceful protest, RIOT!

[robbalvey]

I added this to the original post, but in case you didn't see it:

 

Here is what was posted at southportforums including a copy of the lay-off letter the employees recieved:

http://www.southportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50364661

[derwood]

Always sad to see a park close. The wheel was a blast.

 

 

 

d

[Fry]

This REALLLY sucks.

 

 

I only had my first visit, what, two and a bit weeks ago, and I thought the place was brilliant. Some real classics, some real horiffic contraptions, but the place was such fun. King Solomon's is INSANE, Traumatizer is a load of fun, and smooooth (for a Vekoma), Space Shot is brilliant, they had a ROUND UP, that instantly made them rock.

 

Ugh, smelly Amanda.

 

 

I'm sooo glad I got the credits and got in the Fun House. That was an absolute BLAST. The WHEEL! The Tunnel of DEATH! It was fab.

[ColinM]

good news for the wheel, is that it isn't actually theirs! It was relocated there from Clarence Pier, Southsea UK - by a former op who loved the wheel so much he ended up buying it & placing it at Pleasureland.

 

http://www.richardswheel.com/

 

Its just really sad to loose such a collection of rare classics in 1 go! - The caterpiller, the river caves, the pretzel ghost train, the flying machine, haunted swing as well as everything mentioned above.

 

OH! - I have a BPB log flume boat to, so yeah - a member got one!

[robbalvey]

good news for the wheel, is that it isn't actually theirs! It was relocated there from Clarence Pier, Southsea UK - by a former op who loved the wheel so much he ended up buying it & placing it at Pleasureland.

 

http://www.richardswheel.com/

Richad's Wheel is the Ferris Wheel, not the fun house wheel:

http://www.richardswheel.com/gallery.html

 

 

--Robb

[ColinM]

ah - that wheel!

 

Anyway - its a lovely old wheel!!

its one of those rare ones where the base rotates as well. That bit still works - just that Southport never operated that feature!

[niiicolaaah]

^Yes they did.. when we were there in June the base was rotating.

[chavslayer]

Damn, I never got round to going to Pleasureland, I guess I never will now.

[Divv3k]

I only visited Southport for the first time a few weeks ago, I'm really glad I did now! But really sad for all the locals losing their jobs and for the UK to be losing another park.

 

On the bright side Camelot have put a message up on their site denying rumours of their imminent closure and even saying they're added a big new attraction next year. Southport ride anyone?

 

Link: http://www.camelotthemepark.co.uk/planning_your_visit/20

[robbalvey]

^ Looks like a trip to Camelot/Gullivers will be on the slate for the next TPR UK trip as a replacement for Southport! I don't think the trip participants would mind more time at BPB anyway.

 

Honestly, Southport was in pretty bad shape when we were there, and like Paul said, after our funhouse ERT, had we known ahead of time that so many attractions would be closed that day, we probably would have cut our visit short by at least an hour!

 

--Robb

[Carnage]

^Yes they did.. when we were there in June the base was rotating.

 

The base was rotating only before opening from what I understand.

 

I saw it rotating. But it never spun while the park was open.

[Mr Pete]

Such a shame to lose a park here in the uk, The Flying Mistral was one of the best set's of Flying Scooters out there. But due to storm damage over the last closed season, it was never to open for one final season.

 

I certainly will not be enticed to go to PBB if Traumatizer goes there as replacement to the flume....

[BarryH]

Dang it! I surely hope someone saves the wheel. The wooden mouse was pretty intense. It felt like it was going to fly off the tracks!

[apollo210]

No! I wanted to make it there next year when I go to an europe park of my choose with a small park add on, too bad it won't happen ! I hope that someone buys the park and keeps it open, but it might not happen .

[Ed]

Hmmm. This ws rumoured for ages. Just glad I actually bothered to go there a few weeks ago.

 

I'm not sad to see it go actually. I'll only miss the Dinosaur River Ride and the ability to almost tip them over...

[Inferno Insane]

How Disappointing

 

Always had a great time and laugh when visited this park, last being 27th May 2006 which was ace. Hope somehow King Solomon's / Cyclone and Flying Mistral are relocated as they were the better rides there.

 

Wouldn’t care less where the SLC goes (burn to metal for all I care) but for replacement for an ace log flume, I hardly doubt I renew mine BPB pass next year if it is for the SLC*. *As you can tell I'm not a fan of SLC'S

 

The Flying Mistral was one of the best set's of Flying Scooters out there. But due to storm damage over the last closed season, it was never to open for one final season.

 

Ohhh that what happen and not all this crap about Health & Safety, which mostly everyone said all this year. Shame as there so much better than Oakwood's