Iconic Blackpool Pleasure Beach ride to close for good

An iconic attraction will close at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, bosses have confirmed.

Managing director Amanda Thompson has confirmed that the Grand Prix ride, which first opened in 1960, will close in order to make way for a new ride, LancsLive reports.

The Pleasure Beach opened at the weekend as it kick-started the 2024 season. Visitors were disappointed to discover that The Big One and Ice Blast were not open due to reasons "beyond the control" of the park's owners.

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In a Facebook post, Everything Blackpool wrote: "Blackpool Pleasure Beach owner Amanda Thompson has confirmed the closure of Grand Prix to make way for a brand new attraction in the future.

"The ride has operated on the park since 1960 and was originally called the Turnpike The cars were petrol powered till the end of the 2002 season before being modified to electric powered ones we see today."

Amanda Thompson, who is the great-granddaughter of Blackpool Pleasure Beach's founder, said in a Tweet yesterday: “Wishing all the Pleasure Beach team a fantastic 2024 season. Thank you for all your hard work in getting the park ready. I am so sorry the #BigOne isn’t quite ready….. that was truly beyond my control.”