September 22, 2016 9.43 am This story is over 90 months old

Cleethorpes Pleasure Island theme park to close for good

Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes will close at the end of the season after admitting there are ‘too many hurdles’ to be able to remain open. Despite heavy investment into the park, owner Melanie Wood has said that a decrease in visitor numbers and unpredictable weather has forced them to close down. She said: “It is with…
Pleasure Island shut for the final time in 2016

Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes will close at the end of the season after admitting there are ‘too many hurdles’ to be able to remain open.

Despite heavy investment into the park, owner Melanie Wood has said that a decrease in visitor numbers and unpredictable weather has forced them to close down.

She 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.”

The park originally opened in 1993 as part of Flamingo Land but closed in April 2010. It was reopened again in May 2010 by its current owner.

“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,” Melanie continued.

The team never let me down but over the years the weather, amongst other things, certainly has.

Pleasure Island will remain open until the end of the month and then will only reopen for planned events such as its Holloween Spooktacular Firework Extravaganza night on October 29.

Councillor Peter Wheatley, portfolio holder for regeneration at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is sad news as Pleasure Island has been a part of the local fabric of our community for several years.

“We’ll do all we can to work with the company to help any staff whose jobs are now clearly at risk.

“Going forward, we’ll be working with the landowner to explore potential options for the future of the site.”

Melanie added: “Going forward I am confident they will endeavour 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.

“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.

“The park will remain open for the rest of the season, meaning there are just seven days of normal operation left plus, of course, our last firework event which will take place on October 29.”