Wales’ largest theme park shut with immediate effect today after operating for almost 40 years.
Oakwood Theme Park, in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, announced they were shutting immediately after ongoing financial challenges and dwindling visitors.
Aspro Parks said the ‘difficult decision’ came after investing more than £25,000,000 since the park was last saved from closure in 2008.
A spokesperson said: ‘In the entire history of Aspro we have never closed any park or attraction.
‘We, and our dedicated team of staff, have strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country.
‘Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and where possible, move the team elsewhere.
‘We are aware that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors. It is for this reason we feel such a sense of sadness.
‘We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of our team members past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported us and of course all those that have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. We are sincerely grateful.’
In 2004, the theme park hit headlines when a teenage girl died after falling 100 feet from the top of a ride.
A coroner later ruled out unlawful killing in the inquest into 16-year-old Hayley Williams’ death and gave a narrative verdict.
In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 costs because of the tragedy when it was revealed that basic safety procedures were widely ignored by staff overseeing the ride.
In November, another beloved theme park shut suddenly after nearly 50 years in operation.
Flambards Theme Park in Helston, Cornwall, was founded in 1976 and saw more than 76,000 people visit during its first season alone.
Yet the park faced an increasingly long list of woes, including rising costs, declining ticket sales and closing rides in June amid a shortage of specialist parts.
Flambards Theme Park abruptly announced that the site in Culdrose Manor would ‘close its doors permanently with immediate effect’.
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