News from Manchester, Liverpool, the Lake District, Chester, Blackpool and North West England » Pleasureland

Rollercoaster returns to Southport

motty — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:33:57 +0000

A famous rollercoaster has returned to its original home in the North West.

Pleasureland in Southport closed in 2006 and the Wild Cat ride was dismantled and put into storage.

Sefton Council purchased the site in 2007 and leased it to leisure operator Normal Wallis who subsequently opened New Pleasureland.

New Pleasureland bought the ride back and it reopened yesterday. The first to ride it was Peter Crompton, who famously demonstrated against the park’s closure by climbing the historic Cyclone ride.

Boy arrested in connection with Southport blaze

motty — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:47:19 +0000

Merseyside Police have arrested a 16-year old boy in connection with a fire earlier this week at a Southport tourist attraction.

On Tuesday night a blaze destroyed the River Caves ride at the New Pleasureland amusement park.

Pleasure Beach to introduce admission charges

motty — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:05:32 +0000

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is to introduce admission charges from 2009 for the first time in its history. Visitors will have to pay £5 for a Freedom Pass to enter the theme park, or purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband. The Freedom Pass will allow access to 5 of the less popular rides.

The introduction of admission charges at the company’s theme park in Southport were regarded by many as a significant factor in its subsequent closure.

New ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Infusion

motty — Thu, 03 May 2007 08:12:02 +0000

Visit North West visited the Pleasure Beach at Blackpool yesterday for the opening of their new ride, Infusion. This is world’s first suspended looping coaster operating entirely over water and is essentially an improved version of the Traumatizer at Southport Pleasureland. Check out the video here.

The Resurrection of the Traumatizer

motty — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 11:41:43 +0000

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has revealed plans for a new ride for 2007. Infusion, a suspended looping coaster travelling over water, will be a reconstruction of the old Traumatizer ride at the now defunct Southport Pleasureland. The new ride will be built on the site of the old log flume. Guess who predicted this the day after Southport Pleasureland closed?

Southport Pleasureland Closes

motty — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 10:25:38 +0000

Pleasureland unexpectedly closed its doors at 5 pm yesterday.

The Southport theme park, owned by Blackpool Pleasure Beach, blamed competition from publicly-funded attractions and competition from Sunday shopping and sporting events.