What's new
By:
FORUMS - COASTERFORCE

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Blackpool's South Pier

Martyn B

Martyn B

CF Legend
Anyone know whats going on with the South Pier? They've been removing rides recently and all the extreme rides are up for sale, and as of last Friday, the whole Pier has been completely closed off...?

South Pier said:
Just a quick message to warn any potential visitors to Blackpool that South Pier is currently closed for all business, as of 8am Friday 11th May 2012.

This includes the arcade at the front and everything on the westward decking. There is currently no estimated reopening date.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
The whole pier has been closed off, to put it in idiot terms, the electrics are ****. I realised on Saturday when I was in work that nothing was working on the pier and it was really quiet over that side of the road, so when I asked what had happened, nobody had a clue. When I went on my dinner I asked around and found out that;

Basically, the other day, an electrical cable fell from off the pier, frying the whole electrical circuit (it's got it's own power source which powers the arcade and all the rides on the pier).

From what I heard, they might be trying to get it open this week for the weekend period.
 
Some other sites are saying thats its going to cost in excess of £100,000 to get fixed, so it might be closed for some time.

Also, the Central Pier is apparently having its Giant Wheel removed.
 
Wow, maybe not opening soon then...

Yeah, Central Pier's had it's Gindola's (?) taken off for some time now, it's just been standing there with nothing on, looks really bare. To be honest, I don't see this as a big miss to be honest, it was always really quiet anyway, if it bothered to open because of the wind </3
 
This seems like unfortunate timing, I'm not sure how much Merlin have advertised the revamped Tower, but just the fact that it's included on the annual pass should cause an increase in visitors to the area, it might not make a substantial difference but it's still adding to the lost revenue.
 
All 3 piers are owned by the same company, I dont know what their plan is, but pretty much all the rides on the South Pier are for sale, and they're now removing rides from the Central Pier too.

As much as Blackpool is the biggest dump, I loved visiting there years ago. I thought it was the closest we'd ever come to having somewhere that was like America (with big rides on the piers etc, massive Pleasure Beach, water park etc), so removing all these little attractions isn't great IMO, not that I really went on the actual rides much, but still...
 
I hope the huss breakdance stays. I might be going to Blackpool for the first time in September and really wanted to go on that breakdance!
 
I never really saw the point of Central's Giant Wheel anyway. Especcialy with the tower just up the road.

Pity everything on the South pier for sale though. They always looked fun but I never got a chance to go on them.
 
South Pier is actually Ok to be honest, a lot of local business' aren't happy about the Merlin takeover of Blackpool. A lot of people are getting worried about the future of the smaller attractions. Merlin are also interested in acquiring another premises in Blackpool, so the rumour of the local attractions go anyway.
 
Precisely. They're also bringing a LOT more custom into the town itself, but some smaller business' can't see it this way. At the end of the day, they're really brought a much needed facelift to the Northern end of the Golden Mile. It's just a pity that the South has been left in it's current state.
 
Lofty said:
Precisely. They're also bringing a LOT more custom into the town itself, but some smaller business' can't see it this way. At the end of the day, they're really brought a much needed facelift to the Northern end of the Golden Mile. It's just a pity that the South has been left in it's current state.
Click to expand...
Yeah, The Sand Castle seems to be making a bit of a go of it but there seems to be something about Blackpool that seems to stop the attractions putting the extra TLC into something. As if the owners go "there, I've built it - what more do you want?"

Like, even the Tower Eye experience has gone distinctly half-hearted in just 6 months and doesn't feel as special. Merlin must be careful not to let their attractions stagnate the way the piers, clubs and arcades have.
 
^ The Sandcastle is owned by the Council ;)

Updates:

As I mentioned they amy be doing, they got it open for Saturday 19th (yesterday), all rides are working and all power is restored.

The Big Wheel has it's cars back on and has been running the past couple of days. So who knows what's going on. They'll probably remove it after the season has passed.
 
I think the timescale of these rides being sold is actually pretty big. They've just put a new ride on for last year so they won't be selling up and moving out anytime soon. Plus, the revamp is meant to be starting at the end of this year/beginning of next. So don't worry too much.
 
Some of the rides were running yesterday and there was a lot of people stood around the arcade entrance at South Pier, so I am assuming they are running again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top