March 19, 2025Mar 19 comment_324355 could you dilute the squash please? yeah, let me water down those plans for you
May 25, 2025May 25 comment_325547 This was approved this week: https://www.thorpeparkmania.co.uk/index.php/2025/05/25/project-pivot-approved/ Whether they decide to try and get it ready for Fright Nights or just wait until next year is the big question now
May 25, 2025May 25 comment_325550 Is the plan still to only do one side of the beach? I feel half doing the area will just leave it feeling a bit out of place (similar to how Galactica feels in FV currently but on a smaller scale of course) and seems like almost a waste of a good idea.
May 25, 2025May 25 comment_325553 I agree, it's a shame it's only half of the beach. I can't see this being done before Fright Nights now - the plans for that will already be under way, and that would only leave them 4 months to get it finished, which is possible of course but difficult given that it's in the middle of a busy operational theme park.
December 5, 2025Dec 5 comment_329260 Has anyone seen any updates in regards to this? Any drone flyovers ect?
December 22, 2025Dec 22 comment_329442 On 12/5/2025 at 4:31 PM, MattL28 said:Has anyone seen any updates in regards to this? Any drone flyovers ect?not yet, this is literally the only time I’m begging for jack silkstone to give us an update about the project
January 9Jan 9 comment_329659 Does anyone realistically think this project will ever happen now?I’m starting to think it might be unlikely considering the ongoing issues at Merlin.I’m also unsure how popular the area would be. Stage shows have never really been all that popular throughout the years at Thorpe. Now that entertainments aren’t a priority for Merlin, perhaps this development has been reconsidered.Clearly the plan was very much in place for it all. The plans were drawn up in detail and the application went through the council. The park even teased the “last beach party” as being in 2025 on that cryptic poster.You’d think the development would have started by now wouldn’t you… although I suppose it could still happen during the open season.I can’t help but think though that the money would be better spent by putting it towards more of a proper “Main Street” sort of setup. A bigger and nicer investment that will stand the test of time. Not specifically a Main Street, but that sort of thing. Rather than this more low budget development.
January 11Jan 11 comment_329674 Looks like it is happening, with this being a project that was tendered over a year ago...
January 15Jan 15 comment_329690 This project has been significantly downsized and now underwhelming compared to the original plan. It’s a literal flattening of beach and plant a temporary stage on it.It’s a shame, Merlin clearly don’t want to invest for the long term. Just the short term, this would originally have been must nicer and a longer term solution
January 17Jan 17 comment_329703 On 1/15/2026 at 5:40 PM, MattL28 said:This project has been significantly downsized and now underwhelming compared to the original plan.It’s a literal flattening of beach and plant a temporary stage on it.These changes were submitted to the council back in March 2025:On 3/18/2025 at 6:11 PM, JoshC. said:Changes to the application, making it smaller and comply with biodiversity stuff https://x.com/ThorpeParkMania/status/1902060291598496045?t=g4E2hlX9nxq7u74Q21fUkQ&s=19At the very least, part of the reason for the changes was to address biodiversity requirements that were being put on them. It does also seem to have helped with reducing the scale of the project.Whilst you're right that it will not include the terraced seating from the original 2024, it is not 'just' a flattening of the beach, as it will still include new retail / food units. The terraced seating, as seen from the screenshot of the amended plan, seems to have been done specifically to combat the Environment Agency's concerns.Whilst the stage they are now implementing is smaller (it does seem to be the same one they've used for Lucifer's Lair?), it is still a permanently set up stage space, which means there is greater scope to introduce permanent AV rigs and makes it easier from a tech standpoint to implement better shows. Whether they chose to is a different matter, but even a 'temporary' stage set up permanently has a huge amount of benefit.
January 24Jan 24 comment_329752 Whats the reason for closing half the beach? Was it never popular enough to justify so much space?
January 24Jan 24 comment_329753 Just now, LightSam said:Whats the reason for closing half the beach? Was it never popular enough to justify so much space?It’s likely they’re tired of using Ghost Train’s plaza as a show space and needed to reduce crowds in that area so they just decided to use one of the only attractions that never opens for like half of the season
January 25Jan 25 comment_329759 Mixture of the Beach not being used that much and there being a more recent need for a permanent stage / event space. Realistically The Beach was the best place to put such a thing.
January 26Jan 26 comment_329773 Minor plan submitted to the council...In no way will this be a stumbling block to the development and I believe it will be ready for this year
Yesterday at 03:49 PM1 day comment_330011 We'll be getting a first official look...https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqZW6ifXh/
9 hours ago9 hr comment_330017 Concept art photos have been posted now, honestly quite liking the look so far even if it does give off school playground vibes a bit.https://www.instagram.com/p/DUuuPGnEiPX/?igsh=ZWJrZXJqZ2JvYjE1
7 hours ago7 hr comment_330024 It's funny as the last image definitely looks like it's of the Saw Alive plaza (based on how Colossus and Storm Surge look in the background).But it looks nice enough. And there's been a lot of want for such a space for a long time. Interesting there's no mention of the stage, and concept art purposefully avoids showing that space. Most recent plans still indicate there will be a stage. I wonder if, for now at least, the plan is to wait until there's a need for the stage before putting it in?
4 hours ago4 hr comment_330025 Have to say, it looks disappointing to me. If that’s the most inspiring thing they can come up with for the hub of the park then it’s a sad day for Merlin
2 hours ago2 hr comment_330027 Where are the budgets?Clearly a budget cut than change of use for the area. The concept art looks bad but hopefully better in real life! Should have been given a bigger budget to do it right first time. It’s too tarmacy even with the branded patterns. Currently at Europa park for rulantica and it hurts to see Thorpe do this while I’m here
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.