Fallen Giant (Rise and Fall of Blackpool Pleasure Beach?)

[Danny94James]

it's not called the golden mile.

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@Danny94James I think you will find that the Blackpool promenade from the Tower to the Pleasure Beach is known as 'The Golden Mile'. You're probably just too young to have heard of it called that.

[Danny94James]

@HoldontightmediaGB it used to be called that but they've renamed it this year as the elizabeth something lol, they want to get rid of the old name because they want to give a new name to the new promenade :D but i prefer saying golden mile

[JacobBradley93]

Dont be ridiculous, if PB is failing why have we just seen a brand new area of the park created by one of the largest childrens tv companies. Nickelodeon wanted pb!

PB is on the rise! Not the fall :)

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@JacobBradley93 Consider this...I made the video a year ago when BPB appeared to be failing 'In my opinion' and so I made the video to reflect 'my thoughts' and 'my concerns'. Yes, things have changed since a year ago and BPB looks to be on the rise again. Good for them, I don't dislike the place, I just disliked the business structure of the last 2 years. If you're going to criticise, then at least be constructive about it!!!

[djmattclay]

*when the big one opened.

[djmattclay]

Tallest in the world when the Big One... Someone doesn't know what they're talking about Sean. Times are hard for the entire amusement industry, I agree that Pleasure Beach was better a few years ago, the late 90s in my opinion being it's peek, but this 'buzzing' atmosphere can be reclaimed if a new eye opening attraction is built in the next 2 years.

[Bandinam]

Whilst I don't agree with it all, you make a fair comment. Major investments were made prior 2004; and since then nothing has happened except Nickelodeon Land, which is a step opposite to competing with Alton Towers - as people want days out to escape media and branding; not see excessive amounts of it!

Nice video. Makes some good points. Although I'm still respectful regardless of who's in charge - I just don't visit anymore 8-D

[AidanCKY]

Oh god, the march of the fanboys has arrived. Open your eyes, guys.

[alanm4072]

Also now nick land is built, there is going to be a brand new 4d cinema for next year and wallace and gromit ride for next year as well which is going to replace the goldmine!

[alanm4072]

i totally disagree with you, if Geoffrey was still alive and then the park would of gone bust, he was so much in debt and he built the rides first and worry about the financial side after! Amanda has made the park look alot better since its ever been, i understand why she closed south-port due to financial problems, she was so much in debt what Geoffrey left to her! Wow £5 charge, its not exactly going to brake the bank is it! also a 2:00, it was that busy on Easter time! also nickland this year

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@alanm4072 So, 'Wow' to a 5 quid entry fee which would cost me 25 quid for myself, my partner and my three daughters...Thats just to get into the dam park and walk around...basically, look but can't touch!! I don't always want to buy wristbands because we don't always spend the full day inside the Pleasure Beach, free entry into the park at least gave us the choice to pay per ride and come and go as we pleased.

[alanm4072]

@HoldontightmediaGB well if you go somewere like alton towers, you have to pay full price for non riders! Pleasure beach aint a charity and lets not forget who actually brought in at southport, GT did first!

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@alanm4072 I don't take them to Alton Towers either. BPB need to make their minds up...Either be a theme park and pay one price to get in with all rides and attractions free OR be a Pleasure Beach which doesn't charge entry but offer wristbands and pay per ride. Thats my opinion, simple as that...I simply don't like the entry fee to walk around and admire sculptures or water jets and watch other people riding. Not sure on your point about Southport and Geoffrey Thompson tbh

[alanm4072]

@HoldontightmediaGB yh but ever since the admission charge, i have seen alot more families in the park and alot less idiots and chavs who want to start trouble (not saying all the chavs by the way)

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@alanm4072 I'll admit that is a good thing and is certainly good for families who don't want hassle or trouble. The fact remains though that I can't just pass through the PB with my family without it costing me alot of money. You see with the likes of Alton, you purposely go there for the theme park and the rides. Blackpool is more than the Pleasure Beach, it's a milelong entertainment scene and we don't go to Blackpool specifically for the PB, it is a filler attraction.

[DonkJunkie2008]

Pleasureland and the Frontierland were built on land owned by the local councils and it was these that rang the bell on the parks not the Thompsons. The parks were closed because the councils refused to extend the lease. They were offered more monies elsewhere. The Thompsons took this as an opportunity to refocus their attentions on the blackpool park. Nickalodeon land and 'other' developments take years of planning and negotiations to get to a building phase and this is now evident for 2011

[HoldontightmediaGB]

Theres no denying that the park has been tidied up but the point is that we are seeing ridiculous installations...a sculpture park? a water fountain show? Amanda is obsessed with showing off art and shows...but at the end of the day bpb is an amusement park, always has been, always should be. The new Nickleodeon land is the best investment made in years and hopefully will be the start of bringing bpb back to its best as an amusement park and not a silly art show!

[jp235]

This Amanda-bashing is just madness. She inherited a business that badly needed reform at a time when the economy was seriously bad. Amanda has got the park looking the best it ever has, while the £5 has reduced the number of undesirables on-park. Let's not forget she could have gone the whole hog and introduced an Alton-style £35 entry charge, regardless of whether you wanted to ride or not.

I will agree Pleasureland's closure was handled very badly, but the park had no chance of survival.

[MegaSackboy16]

i think its rising again there building a nickelodeon land there and i think it will be a big hit for the chilldren and the adults

[gkntym]

Personally I think that the park reached its peek in 2004, and has fallen since. I never knew it had a sister park! And what ride did they destroy? xD

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@gkntym They owned Southport Pleasureland, just down the road from BPB and they demolished the 'Cyclone' wooden roller coaster before anyone had chance to save it!

[hardcoretilldie313]

When The Big One was built it was the tallest fastest and steepest in the WORLD. Amanda Thompson brought in the worlds first Looping Coaster to be suspended over water. The pleasure beach is still host to traditional rides (Wild Mouse, Rockets and Grand National) as well as the record breakers. Unfortunately perception has shifted as well as Amanda's 'more show than park' management! Air, Stealth, Saw; these rides are dominating the industry now! Something new is to arrive in 2012 though!

[HoldontightmediaGB]

@hardcoretilldie313 : Let's certainly hope something big is due to arrive at the Pleasure Beach soon because it really needs to pull itself together and start competing against the other UK parks.

[MegaSackboy16]

@HoldontightmediaGB there building a nickelodeon land it's to open in 2011

[19kylegreer96]

12th June just hast to be my birthday :D