Abandoned UK theme park set to be transformed into £70m holiday resort

An abandoned UK theme park that has been left empty for almost a decade could soon be given a completely new lease of life under plans for a huge £70million holiday resort. Pleasure Island in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, closed its gates in 2016 after more than 20 years in operation. Since then, much of the former attraction has been left to fall into disrepair.

Now, the derelict site could be transformed into a major new holiday destination after council officers recommended plans for approval. Developers have described the scheme as a "Center Parcs-by-the-sea", with hundreds of holiday lodges, hotels, shops and leisure facilities all planned for the site.

The £70million development would be built across the 60-acre site and include 272 holiday lodges, ranging from two to four bedrooms.

There would also be two hotels, one with 58 rooms and another with 148 rooms. The larger hotel is expected to include a casino and conference centre capable of hosting up to 900 people.

Alongside the holiday accommodation, the plans include a Lidl supermarket, a Costa drive-through coffee shop, restaurants, a food hall, a garden centre, cycle hire facilities and a leisure building.

The large lake at the centre of the former theme park would remain, but it would be turned into a fishing destination with a new anglers' hub, changing rooms, lockers and toilets.

The plans were first submitted in January 2023 but have faced a number of delays.

Natural England raised concerns about the possible impact the development could have on the nearby Humber Estuary Special Protection Area, which is home to a wide variety of bird species.

The Environment Agency also objected to changes involving a new bridge across Buck Beck, while a number of local residents also submitted objections during the planning process.

However, a lengthy planning report concluded the scheme should go ahead, with council officers saying it would help bring the long-abandoned site back into use after years of standing empty.

Pleasure Island first opened in May 1993. At its height, the park attracted more than 250,000 visitors a year and featured almost 50 rides.

Some of its biggest attractions included the Boomerang rollercoaster, the 120-foot Hyperblaster drop tower and the Pendulus swinging ride, alongside family attractions, a historic carousel and sea lion shows.

The park eventually closed at the end of the 2016 season as visitor numbers fell, with many holidaymakers choosing cheaper package holidays abroad instead of UK seaside breaks.

Most of the larger rides were removed over the following years, but parts of the entrance, show buildings and other structures were left behind and gradually fell into decline.

If the latest plans receive final approval, construction of the project is expected to create around 400 jobs.

Once completed, the new holiday resort is also expected to support around 370 permanent hospitality and retail jobs.

A timetable for construction has not yet been announced.