{"id":88115,"date":"2025-03-06T15:43:17","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T15:43:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/?p=88115"},"modified":"2025-03-06T16:10:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T16:10:31","slug":"beloved-welsh-theme-park-closes-its-door-for-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/business-culture\/beloved-welsh-theme-park-closes-its-door-for-good","title":{"rendered":"Beloved Welsh theme park closes its door for good"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After decades as a staple of Welsh tourism, one of the country\u2019s most well-known theme parks has closed with immediate effect, leaving staff without jobs and the local community facing an uncertain future.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0631-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Oakwood was the only major theme park in Wales at the time of it&#8217;s closure.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Oakwood Theme Park, one of Wales\u2019 most iconic attractions, has officially closed its doors with immediate effect, leaving staff, visitors, and the local community in shock.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The announcement, made yesterday by owners Aspro Parks, confirmed that the park will not reopen for the 2025 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the dozens of staff members who suddenly find themselves out of work, the news has been devastating. Josh, 23, had worked at the park as a ride operator for just over a year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking about the closure, he described the moment staff were informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWell, we knew things weren\u2019t looking great, but I don\u2019t think any of us actually thought it would come to this,\u201d he said. \u201cThen yesterday, we got the official announcement, it was shutting for good, and we wouldn\u2019t be coming back\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1400x787.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0627-1400x787.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Vertigo was one of the parks major attractions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The closure comes after a strategic review of the business, with Aspro Parks citing a combination of declining visitor numbers and increasing operational costs as key factors in the decision.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a statement, the company acknowledged the emotional and economic impact of the closure, describing it as a \u201cdifficult decision\u201d that was made only after exploring \u201call possible avenues to avoid it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For many of Josh\u2019s colleagues, the park was more than just a job, it was a community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not just the job for some people,\u201d he explained. \u201cThe people, the routine, the feeling of actually doing something. It\u2019s like we\u2019ve lost more than just work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-614x1536.jpg 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-293x733.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-614x1536.jpg 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/White-and-Orange-Doodle-Illustrated-Reading-Strategy-Tips-Infographic-1-293x733.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Oakwood had been a staple of Welsh tourism since it first opened in 1987, with generations of families visiting the park over the years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aspro Parks, which took over in 2008 when the park was at risk of closure, said they had invested more than \u00a325 million into improving the site, including the recent major refurbishment of Megafobia, the park\u2019s iconic wooden rollercoaster.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite this, visitor numbers have steadily declined, making further investment \u201cunsustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rising costs of operation, from energy prices to wage increases, were also highlighted as factors in the decision.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1400x787.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/IMG_0626-1-1400x787.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Megafobia, the park&#8217;s flagship ride, could reach speeds of 48mph.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe 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 national minimum wage and changes to national insurance thresholds have all impacted the decision.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beyond the loss of jobs, there are growing concerns about how the closure will affect the wider local economy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The country&#8217;s only major theme parks has closed with immediate effect, leaving staff without jobs and the local community facing an uncertain future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1237,"featured_media":88210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[1224,380],"coauthors":[1340],"class_list":["post-88115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-culture","tag-cost-of-living","tag-parks"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Beloved Welsh theme park closes its door for good - InterCardiff<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" 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