Work must begin on a new vision, says Wallis
PLEASURELAND owner Norman Wallis says “now is the time for action, not words” as he called for work to begin on a new vision for Southport.
The fairground boss gave his reaction to the publication on Thursday of the final draft of the Southport Development Framework.
The blueprint for the town’s future proposes a number of ways of boosting our town’s economy and bringing in more visitors – with a number of key sites due to be developed to help achieve this.
The number one scheme in the framework is the plan to redevelop Marine Park – land that includes the current fairground site, Princes Park, land along Marine Drive, Southport Miniature Railway and the edge of the Marine Lake.
The document calls for a “comprehensive development to provide a regional visitor attraction”.
An artist’s impression of what the area could look like, published in the Southport Visiter last week, includes a spectacular new rollercoaster at Pleasureland, lots of indoor attractions at the fairground, rides by the Marine Lake, new family accommodation, and new developments along Marine Drive, where the gokart track and a car park currently sit.
Mr Wallis said: “What is needed to be done now is a little less conversation, and more action.
“We need something to be done to make all of this happen.
“Sometimes, things take such a long time. Waiting for a consultant to talk to another consultant, it can be frustrating. While we are doing this, we are wasting opportunities.”
The long history of a fairground in Southport looked doomed in July, 2006, when the then owners, Blackpool Pleas- ure Beach, suddenly shut the attraction.
Men with chainsaws in their hands came from Blackpool to scythe down the historic Cyclone ride, while the site was left devastated.
Norman Wallis came in a few months later and has spent the past few years building a new fairground on the land.
Next year he will celebrate his 10th anniversary, and he wants to do so by putting together an attraction to entice visitors from many miles around.
“I have got big plans,” he said. “I believe Southport can be the number one seaside destination in the country.
“We are perfectly placed within the Northern Powerhouse, which Theresa May is pushing.
“The pound has gone down in value, but that has presented a great opportunity for ourselves to attract more visitors.
“The likes of Liverpool and Manchester, and their airports, are not far away; we have a great opportunity to bring more people to Southport.
“But we don’t have enough of a mass or variety of leisure attractions at the moment. “We need to be bigger. “We have to expand our family offer and we need to be encouraging a wider demo- graphic and bring people to Southport all year round.”
Proposals have previously been put forward that would see the theme park expand towards the Marine Lake, with some exciting water-based rides.
The lake could be animated at night with lights, lasers and fireworks.
Nearby land could accommodate new leisure attractions such as a new skate park, zipwires, and adventure golf.
Mr Wallis added: “The Marine Lake is under-used and we need indoor attractions so we are not dependent on weather for the season.”