HOLIDAYMAKERS have been warned of five rides closing for good at a popular UK theme park this summer.
Brits were disappointed to hear some of their favourite attractions would be shuttered at the popular seaside resort of Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
It comes as the company is “re-investing” and going through an “evolution” to continue delivering the best experience to customers.
As part of the move, five rides will be torn down permanently.
The famous Eddie Stobart Convoy, an antique car ride, will no longer greet visitors.
And, the Alpine Rallye, a 1961 junior track ride formerly known as Thor’s Turnpike, is also scheduled for the chop.
Another ride due to be axed is the Thompson Carousel, a 1977 vintage carousel.
Ticket-holders also have to wave goodbye to a similar 1979 carousel ride Gallopers.
The fifth and final ride to be winding down operations is the Red Arrows Skyforce – a 2015 Gerstlauer sky fly ride.
A spokesperson confirmed: “The smaller rides were already being run on reduced opening times and our rider data showed that they have some of our lowest throughput, while Skyforce is 10 years old this year.
“After a great deal of thought, it was clear to us that the right decision is to make changes which will allow us to reinvest into a bigger and better future.
“We’ll be sharing more about that future very soon, and we can promise there’s lots to look forward to.”
This comes as the Blackpool Pleasure Beach was crowned the best family-owned theme park in the country.
The seaside theme park, which first opened in 1896, has smashed records and won prestigious awards as it continues to impress visitors.
And it was even hailed one of the best family-run attractions in the world by Blooloop.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort was the only UK theme park named on the list, making it the best in the country.
It competed with huge global theme parks on the list from Europa Park in Germany, to Siam Park in Tenerife and IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, weren’t named on the list because they’re owned by larger companies.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort has been kept in the family since it opened – it was founded by William George Bean, the current owner’s great grandfather.
Boss and owner of Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, added: “We’re honoured to be recognised as one of the best family-owned theme parks in the world, and the only UK park to make the list.
“My great grandfather founded Pleasure Beach and it has remained in our family ever since, where we continue to keep his passion for innovation and entertainment at the heart of everything we do.
“As ever, this recognition is a celebration of our incredible team and the loyal visitors who make Pleasure Beach Resort a truly special place, year on year.”
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is home to the only two rides in the country to have been given a prestigious global award.
Last year, the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) awarded two rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach with Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques – the Big Dipper and the Grand National.
The iconic Big Dipper was proud to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023.
The seaside theme park is also home to The Big One, the UK’s tallest coaster.
And, the country’s first looping roller coaster, Revolution, can be ridden at the resort.
But the line-up is set to get even better when the seaside theme park reopens a much-loved ride later this year.
Formerly known as Ice Blast, the 210ft tower ride will reopen under the new name of Launch Pad.
It’s been given a new pressure cylinder, meaning the ride is faster than before.
And last year, theme park filed a registration of a charge with Companies House, which stated that the a new feature is set to be located somewhere at the park.
In the descriptions on the charge, it discusses an “Intamin Gyroswing located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach” – although not much else is known about the new ride.
Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort will open for its summer season on March 2, with prices from £28 for kids and £30 for adults.
At the end of last year, Alton Towers announced it would be closing its oldest ride permanently.
Meanwhile, here’s an exciting new look at the nearly-completed Epic Universe, which will open later this year.
How to spend a weekend in Blackpool
TRAVEL writer Catherine Lofthouse visited Blackpool last year with her family, here’s what she thought…
Bumbling along the beach in Blackpool, with the iconic tower as a backdrop, it feels like we’ve stepped inside a postcard, capturing the very essence of the great British seaside.
Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.
As a Strictly fan, I’d wanted to pay homage to the home of ballroom, but didn’t find much else to make me break out in song and dance.
But this summer, it feels like Blackpool is on the up.
Everywhere I look, there’s building work taking place and existing attractions being spruced up.
There’s been investment along the seafront, with Merlin, the company behind Alton Towers and Legoland, recently opening its eighth attraction in the town with the arrival of the Gruffalo Clubhouse for little ones.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is redeveloping some of its big name rides too, like Valhalla, which draws in theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond.
Away from the beach, work is taking place to restore the historic Winter Gardens and their surrounds to their former glory.
