Oakwood Theme Park, Wales’ largest theme park, has recently announced its closure after almost four decades of operation. Opening its doors in 1987, Oakwood was on the brink of shutdown in 2008 until a £25m investment saved the park and its 200 employees. However, dwindling visitor numbers led the owners, Aspro Park, to deem further investment unsustainable, resulting in the decision not to open for the 2025 season.
The company cited various economic challenges such as rising electricity costs, escalating ride part expenses, and inflation affecting food and beverage prices, as well as changes in national insurance thresholds, as contributing factors to the park’s closure. This marks the first time that Aspro Parks has shut down a park or attraction in its entire history. Despite efforts to explore alternative solutions to avoid closure, the owners ultimately saw no sustainable path forward and expressed regret for the impact on the local community and the nostalgic loss that will be felt.
Oakwood’s closure has deeply saddened both locals and enthusiasts alike. Notably, Ryan Hackett, a devoted rollercoaster aficionado, expressed his disappointment at the news, having frequented the Megafobia ride over 6,000 times with hopes of reaching 7,000 rides in the upcoming season. Community figures like Samuel Kurtz, a Member of the Senedd, lamented the loss of the park, emphasizing its special place in many people’s hearts. The Welsh government has pledged support for the affected workforce in the wake of this decision.
In 2004, Oakwood garnered national attention following the tragic death of 16-year-old Hayley Williams, who fell 100ft from the top of the Hydro rollercoaster. Despite the subsequent inquest revealing lapses in safety procedures, it was determined that her death did not result from gross negligence. Nevertheless, Oakwood Leisure, the park’s operator at the time, faced repercussions, including a £250,000 fine for failures in ensuring passenger safety. As the closure of Oakwood Theme Park reverberates through the local economy, concerns arise about its impact on Welsh tourism and the broader economic landscape in Pembrokeshire
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