"We are absolutely gutted": Beloved amusement arcade to shut after 40 years

Lancashire's coastal landscape is losing an iconic amusement as a popular arcade confirmed it would be closing its doors for the final time. Harbour Lights Amusements in Fleetwood has left residents and holidaymakers gutted after the owners announced they'd be 'closing its doors for good' after 40 years.

Located on The Esplanade, the arcade will shut for the last time on Sunday April 14. The owners say the decision was made 'with deep sadness', and thanked customers 'young and old' and all current and former staff who have helped with their successes over the years, reports LancashireLive.

In a statement on Facebook, Harbour Lights Amusements said despite their 'best efforts', factors including the 'energy and cost of living crises' and school timetables meant that they 'would have been closed more often than open'. Regarding the future of the amusement arcade premises once it is vacated, the Stefani family said they will 'explore renting out the space and hope to attract something positive for our beautiful esplanade'.

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The owners said: "With deep sadness, we announce tonight that Harbour Lights Amusements will be closing its doors for good after 40 years and more. Despite our best efforts, including temporarily closing the arcade in late 2018 and reopening in early 2019 with a more equipped space, surviving the COVID era, and maintaining our position as the cheapest arcade in the North West, factors like the energy and cost of living crises have led us to re-evaluate our opening times.

"Considering school timetables, it became apparent that we would have been closed more often than open, which greatly upset us given our part-time nature and