Thrill-seekers in Grimsby and Cleethorpes have surely missed having a theme park right on their doorstep.
Pleasure Island Theme Park closed its doors in 2016 after enjoying 22 long years on Kings Road, Cleethorpes. Recently, the 57-acre site was earmarked for an estimated £80 million leisure and retail development, but work is yet to commence.
If completed, it could create 300 new jobs as developers look to build a new supermarket, hotel and conference centre and install up to eco-250 lodges. Pleasure Island opened its doors in 1993 and closed after seeing a gradual fall in visitor numbers.
Owner Melanie Wood said it was a "massive struggle" to keep the attraction open. At the time of its closure, the theme park's general manager, Neil Ireland said: “It’s hard for me to get my head around.
“I was involved right from the beginning in the decision making, the layout of the park, themes and ride layout. It was quite an in-depth role at the time. Seeing the park develop was a rewarding feeling.”
Since its closure, a number of Urban Explorers have ventured on to the site to see how it looks six years after its closure. Sadly, many of the original buildings have been damaged over the past few years, with more and more of the park slowly being taken over by nature.
Terror Rack
Height: Red
Year: 1998 to 2016
The Terror Rack is currently in operation at Sindbad Land, Iraq, but fans will be happy to hear it has kept its iconic name.
Pendulus
Height: Red
Year: 2003 to 2016
The ride was sold to Flambards Theme Park in Helston, Cornwall, after the park’s closure and has now been renamed ‘Sky Force’.
Obliterator
Height: Red
Year: 2008 to 2016
The Obliterator was brought to Pleasure Island from Flamingo Land in 2008. The ride has been fully refurbished and is in operation at Baghdad Island Park, Iraq.
Hyperblaster
Height: Red
Year: 2000 to 2016
The Hyperblaster has been fully refurbished and sold onto another theme park. It has since reappeared at Chicago's Navy Pier in America and renamed Drop Tower.
Boomerang
Height: Purple
Year: 1993 to 2016
The Boomerang has been fully refurbished and is operational in Trans Studio Bali, Indonesia and has kept its iconic name.
Hydromax
Height: Purple
Year: 2006 to 2016
The Hydromax was originally bought from an Italian manufacturer. It is currently in storage awaiting a new buyer.
Alakazam
Height: Purple
Year: 2002 to 2016
The Alakazam has been fully refurbished and is operational at Fantasilandia in Santiago, Chile and been renamed ‘Super Hero’.
Voltar
Height: Blue
Year: 2015 to 2016
The Voltar was brought to Pleasure Island from Flamingo Land, where it was called ‘Sky Flyer’. The ride is now in operation at Baghdad Island, Iraq.
Galleon
Height: Blue
The Galleon has been moved to Gulliver’s Land Theme Park Resort, Milton Keynes.
Gravitron
Height: Blue
The Gravitron was brought to Pleasure Island from Alton Towers. It is now in operation at Barry Island Pleasure Park, South Wales.
Century 2000
Height: Green
It is understood Century 2000 has been fully refurbished and is used as a travelling ride in the UK.
Razzle Dazzle
Height: Green
The Razzle Dazzle is being used as a travelling ride with John Wesseldine after being refurbished.
Mini Mine Train
Height: Yellow
Year: 1993 to 2016
The Mini Mine Train has been fully refurbished and is operational at Transmart Pekalongan, Indonesia and is now called ‘Crazy Taxi’.
Flying Chairs
Height: Yellow
The Flying Chairs is being used as a travelling ride with Taylors of Edinburgh.
Whirly Twirl Waltzers
Height: Yellow
The Whirly Twirly Waltzers, or the Sea Shells as many knew them, have been relocated to Gulliver's World Theme Park in Warrington. They were however previously being used at Hayling Islands Funland in Portsmouth. They've since been given a paint job, but still offer riders the chance to throw up from the continuous spinning.
Carousel
Height: Yellow
The Carousel was purchased by an undisclosed buyer and is understood to be travelling in Ireland.
Paratrooper
Height: Yellow
The Paratrooper spent a few months at Funland Amusement Park, Hayling Island, before being placed into storage.
Astra Slide
Height: Yellow
The Astra Slide has been rehomed to Sindbad Land, Iraq. It is in operation alongside the Terror Rack and Obliterator.
Children's Astra Slide
Situated next to the Pendulus, the Children's Astra Slide was dismantled and its parts sold off. The clown at the top of the slides is now being used as the entrance to a scare maze at Twinlakes near Melton Mowbray.
Shreiksville
Height: Pink
The Shreiksville is in operation but its current location is currently under debate. Last year, some of it's figures and carriages were spotted on the Roller Ghoster at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park in South Shields. After being removed in 2020, the parts were put into storage, but were soon brought to life for the zombie themed ghost train.
Frog Hopper
Height: Pink
It remains unknown where the Frog Hopper ended up after Pleasure Island, but it's thought it is now in operation at Flamingo Land in Malton.
Tommy Tinkaboo Boat Ride
Height: Pink
The Tommy Tinkaboo Boat Ride has been dismantled and sold as individual parts.
Some parts are being used at other theme parks for repairs while others remain in private collections. However, some parts have recently been discovered as part of a Halloween themed event at Twinlakes near Melton Mowbray.
Mini Dodgems
Height: Pink
The Mini Dodgems have been moved to Gulliver’s Land Theme Park Resort, Milton Keynes.
The Cycle Monorail
The cycle monorail was a great way to see the whole park, if you were up for a bit of exercise that is. After being removed, the monorail was re-homed at Twinalkes near Melton Mowbray and renamed as the 'Pilgrims Pedallers'.
READ NEXT
Meet the Louth councillor who shot to fame for dressing as a sausage
Son's fury as elderly mum almost conned out of £3,000 in 'convincing' text scam
Grimsby's canoe river cleaner James Elliott becomes the face of a new soft drink
