Coaster Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 Quote Cleethorpes' Pleasure Island theme park is to shut at the end of the season. Owner Melanie Wood made the shock announcement this afternoon. While the theme park will remain open this weekend and for other planned weekends including its annual fireworks event on October 29, the gates will then be locked for the final time. McCormack's will stay open - reopening after this season next spring. Mrs Wood said: "It is with deep sadness that I am informing you I have made the very difficult decision to close Pleasure Island Theme Park at the end of this season. "For the past seven seasons we, as a team, have tried very hard indeed to keep the business going but unfortunately there have been too many hurdles. "Despite heavy investment over the years the visitor numbers continue to fall and the good August weather this year sadly was not enough to sustain the business. "In truth it has been a massive struggle from day one but I lived in the hope that with the support of such a loyal and dedicated team and some good weather we would get through. The team never let me down but over the years the weather, amongst other things, certainly has." Mrs Wood said the future of the site was unknown, but the council has been informed of the decision. "Going forward I am confident they will endeavor to work with me to make the right decisions for the resort. "We will continue to operate McCormack's bar and restaurant, as we have done in the past, making improvements over the winter period in preparation for a relaunch in late spring.." The park opened on May 27, 1993 and was originally a subsidiary of Flamingo Land. Pleasure Island became independent of Flamingo Land in May 2010 when Melanie took ownership of it, separate from the family company, following a period of uncertainty about the park's future. On April 14, 2010, staff turned up for work to find the gates locked, and visitors turned away, but it reopened under its new ownership on May 1, 2010. It's on the site of the former Cleethorpes Zoo and stock car racing. Mrs Wood continued: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Cleethorpes, Grimsby and the surrounding area for their support over the last quarter of a century. Without you we would not have lasted as long as we have. "I would also like to thank the local press who have been nothing but supportive of Pleasure Island from day one. "The park will remain open for the rest of the season, meaning there are just eight days of normal operation left plus, of course, our last firework event which will take place on October 29 (tickets now available)." http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pleasure-island-theme-park-to-close/story-29738706-detail/story.html Sad news, it's always a shame to see a park close and yet another bad sign for the UK industry. Gutted that I never got to visit, and unless a miracle happens I won't get to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmonkey Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 This is sad news, I never went, but does anyone fancy going before the end of the season! I want to ride there ghost train Shreiksville before it closes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planenut Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 4 minutes ago, mrmonkey said: This is sad news, I never went, but does anyone fancy going before the end of the season! I want to ride there ghost train Shreiksville before it closes! It is a shame, but too far off the beaten track for me to attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmonkey Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 1 minute ago, planenut said: It is a shame, but too far off the beaten track for me to attend. I know - I'm in london! but might try and make a special effort! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 Very saddened to hear this as I've heard they've been struggling for years. was only talking about trying to visit here at somepoint the other day, but that's probably not happening now. Another UK park fatality. Sad times. David B 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted September 21, 2016 Report Share Posted September 21, 2016 This is a big loss to North East Lincolnshire and the industry in general. I hope somebody buys it out. The south end of Cleethorpes has seen so much development over the last few years. I was lucky enough to visit the park as I was born in Grimsby. My brother worked there for a whie. I have to admit I have never seen the park massively busy. However I do feel it did attract visitors into the area and I hope it doesn't have to much inpact on the economy of an area of the uk that I know very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingNemesis Posted September 22, 2016 Report Share Posted September 22, 2016 I'm planning to go on the 1st October. Is about 2 hours from me in Nottingham so dread to think how long it is for some of you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Latest I have heard is North East Lincolnshire Council are talking to Pleasure Island about the future of the site next week. Will be interesting to see what happens to the rides. Seems like some people are interested in buying them according to what I have read in on the Grimsby Telegraph website. KingNemesis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt 236 Posted September 25, 2016 Report Share Posted September 25, 2016 Fingers crossed this place can be saved/brought up. I know it probably isn't the best park out there, but it would be a massive shame to lose yet another park like we lost American Adventure, Camelot and Loudoun Castle. not to mention they have a Sweet Factory ride similar to the Bubbleworks and a half decent ghost train too. David B and KingNemesis 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted October 27, 2016 Report Share Posted October 27, 2016 Bit of an update on the closure from the Grimsby Telegraph. Seems to be that the feeling is that North East Lincolnshire Council is not promoting tourism enough in North East Lincolnshire. As much as I don't have a lot of trust in local government I'm not really sure it would be the local authorities responsibility to promote the park. Cleethorpes can get quite busy in the summer and parts of Cleethorpes have expanded over time. Still its a shame it looks like it hasn't been saved and also haven't had chance to visit a park I visited quite a bit in the early to mid nintys. http://m.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pleasure-island-owner-blames-lack-of-council-tourism-for-theme-park-closure/story-29845818-detail/story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benin Posted October 28, 2016 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 A lot of UK parks definitely have strained relationships with locals and council; but it is a two sided thing and the parks need to do what they can to try and say to the NIMBYs that they are worthwhile existing... David B 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted December 6, 2016 Report Share Posted December 6, 2016 A bit of an update on what has happened to the rides from The Grimsby Telegraph. http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sad-end-as-thrill-rides-at-pleasure-island-have-new-dawn-in-far-east/story-29953397-detail/story.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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