kevinashe wrote:nice to hear from you again phil,
Sadly family, work and CoasterForce commitments have been very heavy the last few months, so it's hard to keep up my involvement on this side of things too
Anyway, as for Blackpool, I don't know how successful this will be, honestly, I really don't. Maybe Blackpool are looking at individual ticket sales, and just aren't seeing many sold - most people are using the wristbands.
You get five rides for a fiver (okay, kiddy rides, but I'll bet most people only put forward 5 rides when out with their ankle biters anyway).
Those wishing to do the big rides, the wristband has only ever been the way to go. Even in the dim and distant A,B,C ticket days (10 - 4 A, 4 b and 2 C I seem to recall for £15) - it was the best way to play on the big rides.
The biggest issue is one of "atmosphere" and "passing trade". As we saw, Southport lost out on both. Arcades not being used, and the nice new tea rooms left empty. Nobody standing around soaking up the joy of the rides and screams, but not actually daring to do any. It all adds up.
As I say, I think that the move had to be made - whether for an excuse as to why the park has failed, or as a last ditch chance to save it.
Whatever the reason, I think we'll suddenly see Blackpool for where it really stands. At the moment, it's the UK's most popular amusement park - Once people have to pay for entry, we'll see the turnstyle click drop, and finally get a true idea of just how popular the place is.
For me? I hope the place gets sold on quickly and to somebody who genuinely cares - rather than somebody who knows how to act...