Hopes that abandoned UK waterpark could finally reopen – as it gets new owner after being closed for five years
A CLOSED down waterpark in the UK could finally be set to reopen after being shut for more than four years.
New owners have taken over the beleaguered attraction, which hasn’t welcomed any guests since 2018.
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Wet ‘n’ Wild in North Shields was a popular waterpark for families in the north east.
However, owners Serco were forced to close it down permanently four years ago, after years of financial difficulties.
In its heyday, it was home to the UK’s fastest waterslide, the Kamikaze, and it began life in style, when it was opened by Jet from Gladiators back in 1993.
It had other record-breaking rides too, including Britain’s biggest water slide, the 541ft-long Black Hole.
Other rides included the The Tempest, The Mistral, The Calamity Canyon, The Hurricane, The Cyclone, The Tornado Racer and The Abyss.
Unfortunately. its problems date back years, with owners Serco taking over and trying to rescue it back in 2014, after it had been forced to close the year before.
They spent £1.1m refurbishing the waterpark, introducing a new reception, entrance, café, and soft play area, all for a lower admission fee.
Initially it worked well and visitor numbers rose, but it soon began to struggle again just a few years later.
By September 2018 the park had to be shut because of maintenance issues.
To begin with, the attraction had only expected to close for a few months, but it has remained shut ever since, with its reopening date repeatedly pushed back.
The park has now been sold on again, after being put up for sale earlier this year.
Its new owners haven’t been identified just yet, but they are said to be a north east company.
This has sparked hopes that the park could finally reopen to the public once again in the near future.
In a statement, Serco said: “We’ve agreed to sell the site and have exchanged contracts with a local developer with a view to completing the transaction over the summer months.”
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
The new owners’ plans for the park have yet to be revealed, but locals are hopeful that it will be up and running again in the near future.
Reacting to the news on Facebook page North East Updates, one person said: “Great day out for the family and kids. Reopen it please!”
Another wrote: “This place was brilliant back in the day before falling into disrepair. Would love to see it brought back to life and updated.”
A third added: “Spent most weekends there. The North East needs something like this again. Get it cleaned up and reopened.”
Meanwhile, this huge new waterpark will have submersible cars and record-breaking rides.
And this new water attraction is set to open in Europe this summer.