THE closure of Southport Pleasureland, in September, 2006, came as a bolt from the blue.
The move took both staff and visitors by surprise, and brought to an end one of the country’s oldest amusement parks.
It first opened in 1912 with a figure-of-eight rollercoaster and slide, and remained one of the North West’s most popular attractions.
The closure was blamed by owners Blackpool Pleasure Beach on a huge slump in visitor numbers.
Conservationists were horrified when the 1937-built Cyclone wooden rollercoaster began to be dismantled soon afterwards.
Although this ride could not be saved, Pleasureland re-opened under new ownership, in June, 2007.
