It is with profound regret that Oakwood Theme Park has announced its immediate closure, confirming that the park will not open for the 2025 season. Following a strategic review of the business, Aspro Parks, the owner and operator of Oakwood Theme Park, has reached this difficult decision due to the challenges posed by the current business environment.
All possible avenues have been explored to avert the closure, and the company fully acknowledges the impact of the closure on the local community and the loss that will be felt as a result.
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Aspro Parks has invested over £25 million since rescuing the park from the risk of closure in 2008. Most recently, a major refurbishment of Megafobia, the iconic wooden rollercoaster, was completed to great success and acclaim from enthusiasts and fans of the park.
Despite the ongoing investment, visitor numbers have declined, and the financial performance of the park has suffered, making further investment unsustainable.
The unrelenting economic challenges ahead, increases in costs affecting all areas of the operation, from ride parts to electricity costs, food and beverage inflation, increases in the National Living Wage, and changes to national insurance thresholds have all impacted the decision.
In a statement, Aspro Parks Group said, “In the entire history of Aspro, we have never closed any park or attraction. We, and our dedicated team of staff, have strived to overcome numerous challenges to continue to bring joy to families and visitors across the region and country. Unfortunately, we could no longer see a sustainable way forward and will seek to improve our other parks using the assets and, where possible, team elsewhere.”
The company acknowledges that Oakwood has been a much-loved destination for generations and a rite of passage for many young visitors, which is why they feel such a sense of sadness.
Aspro Parks extends its heartfelt thanks to the dedication and commitment of its team members, past and present, suppliers and contractors who have loyally supported them, and, of course, all those who have visited Oakwood Theme Park over the years. They are sincerely grateful for making Oakwood Theme Park a special place.
