Fears that trespassers could break into an abandoned theme park and film themselves on rides has led to calls for it to be sold quickly. Oakwood Theme Park, Wales’ largest theme park, announced it was closing down last month with immediate effect.
Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) Sam Kurtz has called for a “quick sale” to be organised due to the risk of “other problems occurring” the longer it remains unused, the BBC reports. Mr Kurtz, the MS for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire said: “That’s a risk to their trespassers’ health and safety, but also if this is a site that deteriorates, then we potentially lose the opportunity for a quick sale and turnaround to get this site back up and running, whatever that might be in the future. I really want to see Aspro working with everybody that’s available including the Welsh government, myself and other businesses, and potential buyers to see if we can get a quick sale of this asset.”
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that it was “aware of reports of persons gaining entry to Oakwood,” with calls alleging “trespassing and potential crimes”.
Others however have a pessimistic outlook for the hopes of a quick sale of the site.
Cardiff University Professor of Economics Calvin Jones believes that it is “fairly unlikely” a new operator would have any interest in taking over the site.
He said: “If an established operator, who’s already invested tens of millions in the site over the last decade or so can’t make it work, then it’s unlikely a new entrant could make it work,” he said.
“I think we have seen some new theme and activity developments in Wales, but they’ve been much narrower in the last few years.
“Things like zipwires and underground trampolines and mountain biking, where we see people using the topography of Wales in interesting and innovative ways.”
Oakwood opened in 1987 and was a popular Welsh tourist attraction for many years.
However it has endured a drop in visitor numbers in recent years and owners Aspro Park said “future investment is unsustainable” as the announced its closure last month.
According to Prof Jones, the former theme park site, which sits adjacent to Bluestone National Park Resort, is more likely to open in a different guise.
He added: “I don’t think it’ll be a theme park. It may be some kind of recreational use, depending on the view of the planning bodies.
“It may be something very different.”
Mr Kurtz says that numerous people have been in touch with him about possibly purchasing the site.
He said: This is a bit of a plea to the parent company – let’s work together and try and get going to find a buyer for this site.
“I’ve not yet heard from them. I really wish they get back in touch with me.”