Pleasureland Southport

New Pleasureland, previously named Pleasureland, is an amusement park located in Southport, Merseyside, England. The original park operated from 1912 to 2006 and was closed by the parent Blackpool Pleasure Beach company ^[1] due to what they stated was a lack of returns after investment. The park was reopened in 2007.

Pleasureland (1912-2006)

The original Pleasureland before closing

The first Pleasureland had been operating since 1912, but was closed suddenly on 5 September 2006, as the previous owner said it was unsustainable. It was Blackpool Pleasure Beach's sister amusement park.^[2] Due to lack of return on investments, it was not seen as viable to be kept operating. This end result was speculated to have been due at least in part to an introduced entrance fee which proved unpopular and resulted in a serious downturn in the number of visitors.

The Cyclone in June 2006

The park included several historical rides such as the Cyclone wooden rollercoaster, which was demolished just two weeks after the park closed. One of the park's unique features was its Funhouse with traditional funhouse attractions such as the Wheel and the Social Mixer. The Funhouse continued to operate for several months until its closure on March 31, 2007. Soon after, the funhouse was gutted and parts taken to Blackpool, as it is rumored a possible heritage fairground museum is planned for the future at Blackpool.^[3]

Not much is known about the fate of many of the classic rides at Pleasureland, although some have been bought and put into storage for a prospective Dreamland revival project in Margate. On 14 September 2006, pictures were released onto the Internet of people dismantling the Cyclone, much to the dismay of local residents, Pleasureland fans, and coaster enthusiasts.

On 18 September 2006, two protesters climbed to the top of the Cyclone in an attempt to save it. The protest lasted for three hours, after which the protesters came down over police concerns regarding the distraction they posed causing to passing motorists. There was a petition co-ordinated by a group of coaster enthusiasts to try and save the ride, but this effort also failed. The Cyclone was demolished on 20 November 2006.^[4]

Traumatizer (June 2006)

The Funhouse featured attractions no longer found at other amusement parks

New Pleasureland (2007-present)

On 31 May 2007, it was announced that Dreamstorm International were to invest £100 million at the Pleasureland site. Pleasureland was re-opened to the public on 21 July 2007 and renamed New Pleasureland. In June 2007, some of the original Pleasureland buildings were demolished, except for buildings around the perimeter. The site re-opened under new management as scheduled, with a temporary travelling fairground. Then, following a successful summer season, the park was kept open (weekends only) until November 2007, when some demolition of remaining unwanted buildings was carried out and refurbishment of other buildings completed. A Pinfari "Zyklon Loop" rollercoaster was constructed on the site where the Traumatizer once stood and was opened at the start of the 2008 season, named 'Storm'. The Traumatizer was moved to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and opened as the Infusion in 2007.

2008

The Park reopened in 2008 on the 21st of March. However, on 20 March, Sefton Council announced that a company called Urban Splash had been chosen to develop Southport seafront including the Pleasureland site. Here is a report from BBC News.^[5] It was announced in October 2008 that New Pleasureland would return for the 2009/10 seasons. An official opening schedule has been announced for 2009,

The Traumatizer ^[6] station building has been demolished. In February 2008, the site of the Cyclone Rollercoaster ^[7] was landscaped, and part of the old River Caves ride demolished to make room for more rides.

"Norman Returns The Pleasure" The Park re-opened for the 2008 season on the 15th March and rides added for the summer months. Work has also continued on the grounds to make them look more presentable. A Big Top Circus was added during the summer weeks but was removed by its owners after only 2 weeks in the park due to the low number of people visiting New Pleasureland at the start of the summer holiday period. In Summer 2008, a new static ride was opened in the form of a swinging pirate ship. In early 2008, a new roller coaster opened. "Indy's Lost World - The Ride" is a themed indoor roller coaster, based on the latest Indiana Jones' film; Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull The roller coaster is situated inside the old Fun House building. In September 2008, it was announced that New Pleasureland will return for the 2009/10 season. In October 2008, the park's Pinfari Roller Coaster, Storm was removed from the park and sold.

2009

On the evening of the 21st of April, an arson attack took place, destroying the Lost Dinosaurs of the Sahara (River Caves) and a nearby inflatable attraction.^[8] In May 2009, the original Pleasureland Wildcat coaster was bought by Norman Wallis and rebuilt in its original location. The Wildcat opened on 12 August 2009.^[9]

2010

The 'Haunted Inn', the only remaining original feature of Pleasureland, was destroyed in a fire on 30 January 2010.^[10] The Pleasureland main entrance building, which was built not long before the original park closed in 2006, was also demolished in February 2010. The Casablanca Entertainment complex was repainted white in June 2010 and is awaiting refurbishment.

Pleasureland Main Entrance Building in 2007

Indy's Lost World Indoor Roller Coaster was closed early 2010. It is to be replaced with a new Indoor Ghost Train. The ride opened in July 2010.

Battlefield Live Southport has opened on the site of the old Southport Zoo, which is immediately adjacent to Pleasureland. Battlefield Live is an outdoor combat game using guns that fire infra-red beams. The site is accessed via Pleasureland and it opened in August 2010.

2011

The park opened during the Easter Holidays hosting a Monster Truck weekend. A circus was also moved onto the site for the spring season.^[11] The previous weekend hosted an Urban Graffiti Art Festival.^[12]

2012

The park opened again in march, with a New ride called "Air"^[13] and a new log flume ride was constructed on the site of the old Log Flume which was demolished in 2007. A new 'Events Arena' was opened in July with plans to be used as a concert venue.

2013

The park opened again in march, with 3 new rides including 3 rides from Camelot Theme Park which was closed in 2012 and the rides are ferris wheel and Fabbri Evolution which was named Excalibur II and a carousel.

Current rides

Roller coasters

Thrill rides

Other rides

Notable Past Rides

Incidents

Sky-Ride

While under the ownership of the Thompson family, two incidents occurred.

First Incident

In April 2004, four people were stranded on the ride due to an electrical fault.

Second Incident

On August 25, 2004, a 59-year-old employee was killed after he became trapped on a cable car as he was performing maintenance on the ride. The park was fined £95,000 for breaching health and safety laws and was also ordered to pay £50,000 in costs.

References

External links

• The park's official website
• New outdoor attraction at Pleasureland
• Urban Splash Will Develop Pleasureland Site A BBC News Report
• Official website (from Wayback Machine)
• Going, Going, Gone: The Original Southport Pleasureland On themagiceye at Joyland.
• Featuring pictures and videos of New Pleasureland
• September 2010 article detailing the history of the park