Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 120 years on and still going strong

The South Shore attraction opens its gates to the public tomorrow in which will be its 120th anniversary year.

And the final preparations of repairing and maintaining the rides and features have been completed this week.

Today, some 10,000 Cubs will celebrate 100 years of the junior Scouting movement with a special day, before the general opening tomorrow –welcoming guests through gates with specially branded 120-year logo.

Deputy managing director Nick Thompson said: “It’s 120 years, which is a real milestone for us, and it’s going to be an exciting year.

“Having grown up here, working with my grandmother and my father, it’s a huge honour and a fantastic legacy, which comes with huge responsibility to the business, to the guests and to our staff.

“It’s a great honour to carry it on with my sisters.

“I’ve had a lifetime of training in the industry and have never been short of looking for the latest and best ideas coming forward.

“We are always planning and investing hugely, and have some fantastic ideas for the next 10 years.”

While there may be no new ride this year, following the introduction of Red Arrows Skyforce last May, the events programme at the park will be bigger and better to help mark the occasion – which coincides with the 80th year of summer spectacular Hot Ice at the Pleasure Beach Arena.

Among the treats in store for visitors are a planned first birthday celebration for Skyforce – with confirmed plans still in the air regarding the Red Arrows once more flying a display over the park as they did to mark the ride’s launch.

A series of firework displays are also planned, as well as more activities with Nickelodeon TV favourites PAW Patrol who joined the Nickelodeon Land line-up last year.

Nick added: “We launched PAW Patrol last year and it’s become one of the leading shows for Nickelodeon, so we’re bringing PAW Patrol Live and the characters to the park, which will be amazing for families – they’re over taking Peppa Pig as the nation’s favourite family character.”