This is correct. Van Gogh is dead, but his not-so famous cousin Vincent Van Gough has been hiding in the caves for many years along with Saddam Hussein. Saddam was previously hiding in the Gold Mine, which was a bad decision on Mandy's part to leave him with all that explosive. In fact "The Wrong Trousers" was initially controlled by Saddam and called "The Naughty Trousers", or TNT.In typical BPB style, they couldn’t even get the name of Van Gogh right.
It looks like Planet Rock and probably the Bowladrome arcade building are going to be coming down so likely for those, they seem old enough to be full of the stuffI wonder if there was asbestos in the stairs or it's for River Caves
Looks like the old stairs have been demolished
I believe that we could be getting new attractions on both the Bowladrome and Grand Prix sites which I think could be both the rumoured Gyro Swing and Family Coaster that's been touted to come to the park. Possibly as early as 2026.Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the Bowl-A-Drome area historically been a commonly mooted development spot at Blackpool Pleasure Beach?
If they're demolishing the building, could a development be coming? Admittedly, the Grand Prix area seems like a more obvious shout for a development spot, but it has been 7 years since Icon, so the park is probably due a new major ride soon.
Which problematic elements. ? I wasn't aware it had anyI mean, if it means the removal of the more… problematic… elements, then I’m all for it.
They have been closed on a large number of days over the last few seasons, they are just being a bit more honest.I have a feeling the closure of Eddie Stobart, Alpine Rally and Thompsons Carousel are linked with the development on the site of Grand Prix which I think could be the Family Coaster.
Nothing changed on the Dodgems, still closed. All references to them on the website were quietly removed in recent weeks. The op's cabin was sealed shut last year and still is.Unlike the dodgems, which haven't closed, haven't reopened I presume, and have become a bit of a taboo topic.
I'm sorry but I do not buy into the positive PR spin some of these YouTubers are putting on this news.
The cold hard facts are that 5 rides have been announced to close 1 week before the season opens, after tickets have been sold - and season passes renewed or sold too. All of it without ANY concrete plans of ride replacements. It stinks.
However let's be clear, it is most likely cost-cutting due primarily to an increase in National Minimum Wage and Employer NI Contributions from April. A disastrous policy from a clueless government that is massively impacting recruitment and staffing right now ahead of this.
I raised this point on one of Scott's (Your Experience Guide) videos RE: Alton Towers entertainment cuts and was met with a bit of a blunt response.
The cold hard fact is, tonne's of businesses of all scales are laying off staff now due to this and reducing overheads.
In lieu of BPB's statement regarding low throughput on these rides, which others have rightfully highlighted limited or inconsistent operating hours which will hurt ridership figures - I also feel it is a case of saving on staffing costs - not just ride operators, but in maintenance staffing hours too - albeit these are less impacted by the above changes due to assumedly being salaried roles.
Here's a breakdown of the size of the impact raising NMW and Employer NI Contributions is having on amusement/theme parks due to their staff being NMW employee's.
- National Insurance contributions will increase from 13.8% to 15% but most importantly in relation to theme park staff, the threshold for them to pay NI contributions is now £5000 instead of £9,100.
- Minimum wage in 2025 will be £10 for 18-20 y/o and £12.21 for 21+ y/o. For £10 per hour that's 500 hours worked to cross that threshold, and for £12.21 per hour it's 409.5 hours worked.
- Let's say these staff are doing 40 hours during the season and are full time contracted roles - that's only 12.5 weeks on £10 p/h and 10 weeks on £12.21.
So now imagine you have 100 contracted seasonal members of staff all now costing you 15% more per year due to NI contributions plus the baseline increase in national minimum wage. You're looking at a 6.7% increase in NMW for 21+ year olds and a 16.3% rise for 18-20 year olds. That's a huge jump of 21.7% to 31.3% increase in staffing costs for those in minimum wage roles on their employers once they cross that lower £5000 earnings threshold.
I wouldnt be surprised if they are looking to cut 20-30% of total staff hours by leaving more rides SBNO, or removing rides.
I've estimated staffing costs with 1 ride op per ride, operating 4 hours per day average over the 221 day season to be about £100k in staffing costs without factoring in the NI contributions, and again that then doesnt account for the cost to run the rides, parts, maintainance etc. You're probably easily looking at £250-£500k at a minimum when factoring Skyforce in surely.
I just think its poor tbh, right before the season opens and again just leaving people with what are currently empty promises of 'good things ahead' essentially. Too many thoosies are just happy to be gaslit by this behaviour to churn out videos about potential ride replacements, often with daft suggestions that the park won't be able to afford.
I'm just absolutely sick of hearing about these mysterious new future rides. I wouldnt mind if they said here's our roadmap to renew the park over 5 years, there will be some seasons with lots of removals but XYZ is coming in 26/27/28 etc. A leaf out of Cedar Flags book re: Great Adventure, at least some idea of whats to come to speculate on and be hopeful for.
Nothing is coming except that grand prix replacement IMO.
I think the dodgems sign has been removed aswell.Nothing changed on the Dodgems, still closed. All references to them on the website were quietly removed in recent weeks. The op's cabin was sealed shut last year and still is.
Knew I'd forgot to mention something notable - The park have switched from Pepsi to Coca Cola.
The animatronic bears outside Avalanche have been removed.
Also, the laughing man has fallen silent (suspect somebody may have forgotten to switch it back on?)
4 boats!Valhalla had a total of 4 boats and opened well into the afternoon.
I don't think it was NI, I think the writing was on the wall, they have had multiple incidents on rides like bounce recently if I recall correctly.Like I said, the changes to NI thresholds have a huge impact. Poor Oakwood. Can Mandy buy Megafobia and save it haha.