What all this tells us, quite apart from the fact that Park World is a great place to read the views of amusement industry big-hitters, is that some major operators are holding back on what would have been traditional major new investments; they simply don’t think they are necessary. Not now anyway.

“I think we’ve got a difficult way ahead of us, but an exciting one,” says Amanda Thompson on page 21. “We are continuing to put new rides and attractions in, but now when you look at purchasing products such as the Big One you are talking about huge investments of 20 million, 30 million. To do that when you are a private company is quite difficult.“

The standard response is to say that you are to cater more for families. That may be a euphemism for saving money, but even if Six Flags and CDA can afford the sort of massive investments highlighted, where are the returns? One man’s bragging rights are another man’s overdraft.

Many in Blackpool, the folks at Pleasure Beach included, were disappointed that the town did not win the one ‘super casino’ licence handed out by the UK government on January 30. I have my suspicions that once the gambling bug has bitten (if it hasn’t already), more licences will follow around the country and Blackpool will move closer to becoming the ‘British Las Vegas’ it has been known as unofficially for years.

Then the family reputation that the Pleasure Beach has always enjoyed will become more important than ever.

Owen Ralph - Editor

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