• Grand Theatre Blackpool
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  • Sunday, 21st March 2010
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The Grand Theatre Blackpool

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Pleasure Beach Blackpool

First opened in 1896 the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool is now one of Britain’s biggest tourist destinations, attracting over 6.2 million visitors a year. Described as an American-style amusement park with a distinctly British feel, the Pleasure Beach has a variety of rides to suit all tastes and ages and prides itself on its mission statement - to make adults feel like children again.

The year 2000 saw one of the biggest investments to date for the Pleasure Beach when Johnathon Ross opened the £15 million, Valhalla, the world's biggest dark ride on 14th June. 2002 saw the arrival of the sensational new £1million white knuckle ride Spin Doctor with riders twisting 360 degrees through the air to heights of 120 feet at speeds of over 60 mph. Spin Doctor was officially opened by PR guru Max Clifford on August 7 2002. Another Pleasure Beach, Blackpool first occurred in Spring 2003 when The Big Blue Hotel opened its doors at the south end of the park offering luxury accommodation at an affordable price.

2004 saw the arrival of yet another brand new white knuckle ride the £2m Bling along with a further £5 million investment in the park with re-theming and refurbishment. Bling lifts riders a whopping 100 feet above the ground and spins them through the air on giant glittering gondolas in three different directions at speeds of over 60mph as the ride pulls 2.5gs. Bling was officially opened on June 1st by Jonathan Wilkes. In 2004 Amanda Thompson became Managing Director following the death of her father Geoffrey, while her brother Nicholas became Deputy Managing Director. 2004 also saw the passing of Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Chairman Mrs LD Thompson OBE JP at the age of 101.

Amanda Thompson, Managing Director on the Pleasure Beach’s commitment on the Grand Theatre:

“I am delighted to continue the Pleasure Beach’s association with the Grand Theatre. As past Chairman of the Grand Theatre Trust, my father was instrumental in preserving this historic institution, ensuring that the arts could be enjoyed by future generations. This year we are sponsoring 42nd Street, we are also continuing our support of the very successful Young Persons Theatrecard that enables young people to join the scheme then purchase seats at just £5 for many of the theatre’s productions.”

The Pleasure Beach were sponsors of the musical Beauty and the Beast in November 2006. Pictured with Nick Thompson, scion of the Pleasure Beach, are actors Jo Gibb (Belle) and Nic Greenshields (The Beast).

www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com