This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8599316.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Barry Island theme park re-opens | Barry Island theme park re-opens |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A seaside fair threatened with closure after a drop in visitor numbers is to reopen after new tenants were found. | A seaside fair threatened with closure after a drop in visitor numbers is to reopen after new tenants were found. |
Barry Island's Pleasure Park, which features in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, is being taken over by well-known funfair family, the Studts. | Barry Island's Pleasure Park, which features in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, is being taken over by well-known funfair family, the Studts. |
They have agreed a deal with the owner of the theme park to run it for a year and have spent the last month replacing old equipment and rides. | They have agreed a deal with the owner of the theme park to run it for a year and have spent the last month replacing old equipment and rides. |
But rainy weather has led to a delay on the planned reopening on Good Friday. | |
"We are just trying to get it operational for Easter and will improve it as the season progresses," said Vernon Studt. | "We are just trying to get it operational for Easter and will improve it as the season progresses," said Vernon Studt. |
"There's a huge amount of history here and it's good to be open." | "There's a huge amount of history here and it's good to be open." |
The log flume remains closed while essential repair work is carried out | The log flume remains closed while essential repair work is carried out |
Not all of the park will be open, however. The log flume remains closed because it is not in working order. | Not all of the park will be open, however. The log flume remains closed because it is not in working order. |
Mr Studt said: "We only agreed a deal a month ago. Since then I've been getting colleagues organised to get it up and running for Easter. | Mr Studt said: "We only agreed a deal a month ago. Since then I've been getting colleagues organised to get it up and running for Easter. |
"Hopefully the park will be completely up and running by July or August." | "Hopefully the park will be completely up and running by July or August." |
Barry Island has struggled to attract visitors for several years, and last year was forced to close during the summer because of bad weather. | Barry Island has struggled to attract visitors for several years, and last year was forced to close during the summer because of bad weather. |
The owner of the pleasure park, Ian Rogers, has long-term plans to turn the land into a complex of restaurants and attractions, with a 25-storey glass tower as its centrepiece. | The owner of the pleasure park, Ian Rogers, has long-term plans to turn the land into a complex of restaurants and attractions, with a 25-storey glass tower as its centrepiece. |
Mr Studt said the park would offer "something for the average family man and two kids to come here and spend a happy two hours". | Mr Studt said the park would offer "something for the average family man and two kids to come here and spend a happy two hours". |
Up and running in the park will be a rollercoaster, dodgems, half a dozen children's rides and two "white knuckle" rides. | Up and running in the park will be a rollercoaster, dodgems, half a dozen children's rides and two "white knuckle" rides. |
Mr Studt said he was hoping the weather would be good for the bank holiday weekend. | Mr Studt said he was hoping the weather would be good for the bank holiday weekend. |
The park's owners are hoping for good weather | The park's owners are hoping for good weather |
"Barry Island is the perfect place to be when there's good weather. But Good Friday is never the best of days." | "Barry Island is the perfect place to be when there's good weather. But Good Friday is never the best of days." |
He said BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, which was set in Barry and featured the Barry Island theme park, had been a huge boost. | He said BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, which was set in Barry and featured the Barry Island theme park, had been a huge boost. |
"Many of people now know about Barry Island, thanks to Gavin and Stacey," he said. | "Many of people now know about Barry Island, thanks to Gavin and Stacey," he said. |
Mr Studt's family has a long history of involvement with Barry Island. | Mr Studt's family has a long history of involvement with Barry Island. |
"I've been told by a local historian that the Studt family had a fairground on the sands at Barry in the 1880s. I'm a fourth generation of the Studt family involved in funfairs and in my nephew we have a fifth generation. | "I've been told by a local historian that the Studt family had a fairground on the sands at Barry in the 1880s. I'm a fourth generation of the Studt family involved in funfairs and in my nephew we have a fifth generation. |
"I have always been fascinated by Barry Island. I just hope we can do something and get the support of local people behind it." | "I have always been fascinated by Barry Island. I just hope we can do something and get the support of local people behind it." |
He added: "I am confident we can make it work here." | He added: "I am confident we can make it work here." |