Major UK seaside town theme park slashes ticket prices for start of summer

A popular theme park in a UK town has confirmed reduced prices at the start of the summer. Bosses recently closed five rides but pledged to in the theme park, including the construction of a new £9m attraction.

Pleasure Beach has recently announced that adult tickets will be the same price as juniors during the remainder of May and June. This means that adults will be able to get a full park ticket for £30 if they book in advance. The current CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, whose great-grandfather founded the attraction 129 years ago, said the move will honour his mission statement to "make adults feel like children again".

Amanda Thompson OBE said: "In 1896, my great-grandfather William George Bean started his amusement empire which we all know and love today as Pleasure Beach Resort.

"He was very clear that in creating our amusement park he wanted to make adults feel like children again. To continue that mission, we're launching this new campaign, and I hope it will bring the same joy to families in 2025 as it has been doing for centuries."

Mr Bean was inspired by the amusement parks he visited in America and originally positioned a motorcycle monorail on the sandy south beach of Blackpool. He continued to buy and build rides as the town became a popular tourist destination.

Speaking over one hundred years ago, he said: "We wanted to found an American Style Amusement Park, the fundamental principle of which is to make adults feel like children again and to inspire gaiety of a primarily innocent character."

Blackpool Pleasure Beach confirmed a £2.7m pre-tax loss earlier this year, and there were concerns that expensive entry fees were reducing footfall into the famous attraction. The Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce rides were also shut.

However, bosses said the site will become "bigger and better" for visitors with the introduction of new rides. The Launch Pad ride opened this spring, while the brand new £8.72m Gyro Swing - the biggest and the only one of its kind in the UK - will open next year.

The park, which employs around 1,000 people, also recently introduced new ticketing options. Guests can now arrive later in the day and pay less for afternoon tickets.

Meanwhile, those who prefer family rides to the big rollercoasters can purchase a Nickelodeon Land ticket for £25. This gives them unlimited riding in this area, access to entertainment and admission to walk around the entire park.

Until the end of June, visitors who book online will get tickets at the same price as their children. The park is also hosting Twilight Thrills on May 24, where guests can enjoy 11 hours of riding and live entertainment for just £34.

Mrs Thompson said: "Life is more magical when we allow ourselves to embrace our inner child. At Pleasure Beach, we're committed to crafting moments that remind grown-ups what it's like to see the world through a child's eyes."