Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion

[Fuct]

If I was BPB and I wanted to shutter a ride without there being a big backlash I'd say I was "reimagining" it. It's so loose that you could get away with changing a single scene or even a few parts of a few scenes.

 

[IDB]

If they was to majorly “reimagine” the River Caves where are the access points for construction ect? It couldn’t all go through the tunnel of love could it, ooh er!

 

[John]

Assuming they don't just rip the whole facade down as part of any refurb, there's a large access door to the left of the paddle wheel

 

[John_P]

The old restaurant were the grotto is as well. Usually used for Santa meet and greets in December.

Loads of routes and random doors in those tunnels and between river caves, ghost train, and Wallace and Gromit.

 

[rob666]

The lovely Magnolia Cafe.
Mum in the cafe with a good Mills and Boon (there aren't any), we would shout and wave from the River Caves and Goldmine.
Perfect rainy day in the summer holidays, that and the Funhouse.

 

[Poisson]

I would assume a complete trough replacement during these works?

 

[venny]

The trough’s concrete. My guess would be it’ll just be recoated if it’s still serviceable.

There’s a decent sized access underneath the Arena ramp, but even so there’s going to be places that’ll be awkward to work in. I also agree about a total rip out - it would be a shame to see some of iconic scenes removed, especially the likes of the Valley of the Kings and its epic soundtrack. Areas like the now neutered Blue Grotto would certainly benefit from a renovation though.

 

[Smiley]

In typical BPB style, they couldn’t even get the name of Van Gogh right.

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.

 

[danlouislucy]

Looks like the old stairs have been demolished
(full res picture here not sure why it compressed it loads from my phone)

From: https://imgur.com/a/Bb08H8L


Sent from my PHY110 using Tapatalk

 

[Poisson]

I wonder if there was asbestos in the stairs or it's for River Caves

 

[Katy]

I wonder if there was asbestos in the stairs or it's for River Caves

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 stuff

 

[Matt N]

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.

 

[b2311e]

Looks like the old stairs have been demolished

Yes, completely flattened, can be seen from Big One



I think this is new, the bridge Grand Prix used here has gone:




Elsewhere, a small sliver of Learning Garden remains:



Most of the rubble has been removed and the ground levelled from the rest of the site:


...but everything else from Grand Prix hasn't changed since last year. The guide rail is still in place.


Other observations:


- Skyforce is fenced off. The planes themselves aren't there
- Thompson Carousel has the covers down, but I notice the roof has been removed
Avalanche

- now has speedy & easy pass again. This is as shambolic as you imagine it to be​

- has had the stairs in the queue painted. Amusingly, the masking tape has been left on, and appears to have become something to mess about with for certain guests​

- No sign of Launch Pad opening but an engineer was about halfway up working on it earlier today
- The park currently do not have any lockers or luggage storage. The system at the entrance is apparently being replaced. The standalone lockers in the gents loo opposite Alice have been removed
Big One

- is using the lesser-spotted train 3. First time this one has been out to play in a long while, but it's doing the job very well - smooth and fast. One train service of course​

- Queueline hasn't been touched, same loose railings. The extended section is covered in moss and algae, and its all down the sides of the Pepsi cans. Someone add the jetwash to the SBNO list​

- Enso not in operation
- PB Express looking as run-down as ever. Rat traps in full view round the back of Big Blue, the skull has collapsed even more (no eyes now) and the pond under it is bone dry
- Same retail units as usual closed. Didn't spot any new additions

I may follow up if I've forgotten anything (likely)

 

[owenstreet7]

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.

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.

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.

 

[shakey]

I mean, if it means the removal of the more… problematic… elements, then I’m all for it.

Which problematic elements. ? I wasn't aware it had any

 

[rob666]

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.

They have been closed on a large number of days over the last few seasons, they are just being a bit more honest.
Unlike the dodgems, which haven't closed, haven't reopened I presume, and have become a bit of a taboo topic.
Beer, coaster, dodgems, food, repeat.
Solved a lot of problems over the decades for me, but no more, apparently.

I'm still hanging my head in shame after missing the first old gits outing.

 

[b2311e]

Unlike the dodgems, which haven't closed, haven't reopened I presume, and have become a bit of a taboo topic.

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?)

 

[Ares]

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.

Like I said, the changes to NI thresholds have a huge impact. Poor Oakwood. Can Mandy buy Megafobia and save it haha.

 

[shakey]

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?)

I think the dodgems sign has been removed aswell.

Laughing man was working on Sunday.

Shutter was up on the bears so maybe they are still there.

Sunday was quiet on the park. There were a few queues, but thats because everything was running with reduced capacity.

Valhalla had a total of 4 boats and opened well into the afternoon.

I wasn't getting very good VIBES from the park, despite having an enjoyable day.

I think its going to be another poor year attendance wise. It all just feels like the park is struggling to stay afloat. A bit like our Valhalla boat !!

This big announcement from the park can't come soon enough. Fingers crossed it isnt just a new family coaster as i don't think that will be enough to turn things around.

 

[flyingguitar]

Valhalla had a total of 4 boats and opened well into the afternoon.

4 boats!
That sounds abysmal considering the length of the ride.

Like I said, the changes to NI thresholds have a huge impact. Poor Oakwood. Can Mandy buy Megafobia and save it haha.

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.