Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

[Dogdangling]

What would be the rules regarding a re-track/re-profile of Nash given it's listed status?

I doubt they would be allowed to mess.with it that much, would make it a totally different beast.

 

[Stuie]

What would be the rules regarding a re-track/re-profile of Nash given it's listed status?

Retrack is fine and would be considered normal maintenance. Reprofile would not be granted permission. Any work to the ride would need to be to maintain the structure and profile that was listed.

 

[John_P]

As the ride is listed does that mean if the ride ever became inoperable, say due to the park not being able to repair something, they'd be forced to leave it standing in place until it rots away?

 

[Rob]

As the ride is listed does that mean if the ride ever became inoperable, say due to the park not being able to repair something, they'd be forced to leave it standing in place until it rots away?

Pretty much, yes. Which is probably why it's never a great idea to have theme park rides listed!

 

[Dave]

As the ride is listed does that mean if the ride ever became inoperable, say due to the park not being able to repair something, they'd be forced to leave it standing in place until it rots away?

The park can repair anything on it, they can’t without permission change the structural appearance of the ride (they could retrack laminate but couldn do an RMC refit for example)

 

[Skyscraper]

Are you sure you want an RMC conversion after what happened on Steel Vengeance the other day?

 

[Spin-Ride-Lover]

All the comments about it being rough, it's nothing some new trains wouldn't fix.it certainly doesn't need the chop, when the old trains were on these complaints didn't exist.

Exactly!

New lighter trains would bring the ride back to it's former glory.
RMC can bugger right off!

 

[Stuie]

As the ride is listed does that mean if the ride ever became inoperable, say due to the park not being able to repair something, they'd be forced to leave it standing in place until it rots away?

The listing means that BPB are expected to keep the ride structure in the condition it was when it was listed. There's nothing to say it has to operate and it could be left SBNO but allowing it to rot away is not an option.

Pretty much, yes. Which is probably why it's never a great idea to have theme park rides listed!

I disagree. The ride is recognised as important in the history of amusement parks in this country and the listing gives it protection. Rides aren’t granted listed status easily and there has to be a strong case for the listing.

The listing ensures that BPB, as the owner of the ride, must keep it in good condition as they now have a legal responsibility to do so.

A very different case, but Margate’s Scenic Railway was listed when the previous owner decided to close the park to build property on it and the coaster’s future was in doubt. The rest of the site was asset stripped and left derelict and deteriorating. The listing meant that the coaster, which had suffered mysterious arson attacks and was in a very sad, charred and rotting state, was rebuilt.

The coaster is now operating again and the amusement park is now going from strength to strength. Without the protection of the listing, the vital leisure and tourism site would now be covered in flats and houses.

 

[shakey]

Just because something is listed doesn't mean it can never be demolished. It obviously makes it much more difficult to do so and the park can't simply bulldoze the thing one day like they have done with other rides!

But in theory I think they could still try and put forward a case for the rides removal if they wanted to. Or there could just be an accidental fire !

Regarding the lighter trains, that may be all nash needs but unfortunately I cannot see them buying new trains in the foreseeable future. So we are stuck with a very rough ride by the looks of it.

 

[Temleh]

It's amazing what discussion a few holes around Nash can do, I didn't even attach a picture!

They might just be making sure it's not sinking etc.

 

[Stuie]

But in theory I think they could still try and put forward a case for the rides removal if they wanted to. Or there could just be an accidental fire !.

That depends on the local council and the listing status. The 'accidental fire' in Margate caused Historic England (then English Heritage) to upgrade the status from Grade II to Grade II* and the local council served urgent works notices for it to be rebuilt. Of course, the owners didn't rebuild and this led to the compulsory purchase of the site.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/margates-historic-railway-among-a73528/

The Nash is currently only Grade II listed but could be upgraded if it was thought to be at risk. It would be unlikely to lead to a compulsory purchase at Blackpool obviously but they would need a strong case for removal other than maintenance being required.

 

[ScottPBE]

My understanding is that if the Pleasure Beach do wish to make changes to their listed attractions, they simply have to apply to the council or whoever with any plans they have for changing it and things could progress from there.

I doubt Pleasure Beach will give any of their coasters the RMC treatment, but I wouldn't rule out a new wooden coaster (and not at the expense of anything else currently standing).

 

[shakey]

I doubt Pleasure Beach will give any of their coasters the RMC treatment, but I wouldn't rule out a new wooden coaster (and not at the expense of anything else currently standing).

I think a new woodie for their next coaster is an excellant idea. To have a modern wooden coaster alongside the classic wooden rides they already have would be amazing.



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[John_P]

It's weird now after 3ish years of speculation starting with a tyre cover and the removal of the Tom Sawyer lake bridge that with Icon nearing completion we're now considering what could come next.

Possibly a Nick Land expansion/renewal, be nice if they could fit in a junior coaster somehow near by, maybe one of those jnr boomerang variants. Would make sense after Icon to target the families market again.

Would love a modern wooden rollercoaster though, plenty of space where the bowladrome/planet rock/car park is for something like that. Or maybe something like Lost Gravity.

 

[TheBolt]

I think that idea of a 4D cinema in the upstairs Space Invader space would be a good idea for fleshing out Nickelodeon land. Not sure how practical constructing banked seating above the Pizza place is though.

You could maybe squeeze a small coaster on the land between Avatar and Avalanche, over the train lines to expand that area a little (in that wonderful way BPB does of layering rides above and below other rides).

 

[Benjsh]

Giant Discovery flat ride next thrill investment for me. I'm not a huge fan of flat rides however these things are absolutely mental. Would be unique in the UK too.

Or one of those Cyborg spinning things that SFGA are getting as well as another six flags park. That could easily be the next major investment. However these look very nausiating so I'd prefer the Giant Discovery personally.

I think hopes of another new coaster in coming years, after the arrival of Icon, are slim to none

 

[D4n]

Considering we have waited literally 24 years for a new coaster on PB property, I don't think we're likely to see another soon.

Perhaps a new junior coaster, as has already been suggested here, is the most likely option. Blue Flyer is the one wooden coaster at PB I wouldn't mind seeing removed if that helped to clear a big enough space for a new family coaster.

Wouldn't been surprised if the "next big thing" when it comes were to be an Infusion replacement. I feel like it's one of those rare coasters that neither inspires enthusiasts nor the wider visitor base.

 

[shakey]

Blue Flyer is the one wooden coaster at PB I wouldn't mind seeing removed if that helped to clear a big enough space for a new family coaster

I think that is one of the listed rides.



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[John_P]

It also takes up very little room the way it's sandwiched next to the nick streak and going into the big pizza kitchen building.

 

[Benjsh]

Blackpool should and will do everything they possibly can to preserve their woodies. Can't see any of them going anywhere any time soon.

I would like to think that Nashy does get re tracked at some point even if they do it in stages. Its the only woodie at PB I now find almost unbearable to ride. Its fun and historic but it's become way too rough now for me. Dipper funnily enough I find to be much smoother and it's good to see that's had some TLC this year too.

Re-tracking Nashy would be so expensive for them I'd imagine but it would definitely be worth it for me. New trains would obviously be great too however unlikely that may be.