Wales’ largest theme park has shut down immediately after nearly 40 years, its owner has confirmed.
Aspro Parks, which owns and operates the park, cited financial struggles caused by rising costs and declining visitor numbers as the reason behind the closure.
“Unfortunately, we could no longer find a sustainable path forward. Our focus now will be on strengthening our other parks, utilizing Oakwood’s assets and, where possible, redeploying team members elsewhere,” the company stated.
Acknowledging Oakwood’s long-standing popularity, the company expressed sadness over the decision. “The park has been a beloved destination for generations and a significant part of many childhoods. This makes the closure particularly difficult for us.”
Aspro Parks also extended gratitude to past and present staff, suppliers, contractors, and visitors, thanking them for their support over the years.
Since rescuing Oakwood from closure in 2008, Aspro Parks said it had invested over £25 million into the park.
A spokesperson for Aspro Parks Group, which operates multiple attractions including Cheshire’s Blue Planet Aquarium, emphasized that this was the first time the company had shut down a park. “Throughout our history, we have never closed an attraction. Our dedicated team has worked hard to overcome challenges and continue bringing joy to families and visitors nationwide.”
Oakwood Theme Park had been closed for the winter and was scheduled to reopen for the 2025 season before the decision to shut down permanently was made.
The park has faced past incidents, including a tragic accident in 2004 when 16-year-old Hayley Williams fell from the Hydro water ride during a steep descent, suffering fatal internal injuries. A 10-year-old boy, Martin Rothwell, was also injured.
An inquest ruled out unlawful killing and returned a narrative verdict. In 2008, Oakwood Leisure was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay £80,000 in costs after it was revealed that safety procedures were largely ignored by ride operators.
More recently, in July 2024, passengers were injured on the “Bounce” drop tower ride after it came to an abrupt stop due to an emergency procedure. Several people reported minor lower back pain and were attended to by the park’s first aid team.
