The oldest theme park in Groot -Britain is threatened as the costs continue, while the owner of the park blames the 'socialist' budget of Labor last fall.
Wicksteed Park in Kettering was founded more than a century ago in 1921 and is not only the longest operational theme park of the nation, but also one of the oldest in the world.
Since the opening, the park has offered free access to its site and generates income from different journeys, attractions and cafés.
However, the chairman Oliver Wicksteed now says that the beloved Park will cease to exist in his current form, unless it succeeds in obtaining extra financing.
Operating costs such as fuel and insurance have risen in recent years, with the recent budget of Chancellor Rachel Reeves further pressure on his stretched resources.
Mr. Wicksteed, whose great -grandfather originally opened the park, said the Telegraph that Labor's 'socialist approach to collecting money' could prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the park.
The budget was increased to both the minimum wage and the contributions of the national insurance that will cost the park an extra £ 50,000 per year.
Descriptively the budget as a 'hammer -report', Mr Wicksteed warned that the finances of the park could not absorb the full victim of these increased costs and that this would lead to the suffering of the park.
Wicksteed Park in Kettering was founded more than a century ago in 1921 and is not only the longest operational theme park of the nation, but also one of the oldest in the world
Oliver Wicksteed, whose great -grandfather originally opened the park, said the Telegraph that Labor's 'socialist approach to collecting money' could prove to be the last nail in the coffin of the park
In the recent past, the park has passed financial struggles, with 115 employees losing their jobs in the summer of 2020
The chairman of the Oliver Wicksteed park has said that staff needs to cope with his increased operating costs
'The people who pay for this at the end of the day are the consumer and the general public.
“That is just a socialist approach to raise money, making it look like it comes from the business world and not the end user, but the net effect on the end user is essentially the same – it costs more,” said the Lord Wicksteed.
After having passed financial struggles during the COVID Pandemie, the park was forced to dismiss 115 employees in the summer of 2020.
Another round of Lay -Offs is now required to keep a lid on costs, the chairman added.
During the Pandemie, the park had received support from the will of Pastor Richard Coles and comedian James Acaster who grew up in heretics, with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Culture and Heritage Fund that also offered financial help after it had fallen into administration.
The estate of 281 hectares has more than 25 rides together with countless playgrounds and hiking trails, with its pavilion also as a hub for community events.
Opened with the aim of offering children and families a free space for playing and exercise, Mr Wicksteed said that its purpose was just as important today as in 1921, given the ever -farthing obesity and mental health crises.
The park, which is run as a charity and places all generated profit for charities, currently costs around £ 1.4 million a year to walk, according to Mr. Wicksteed.
Since then, a recent £ 250,000 subsidy has been awarded to the park to set up a dedicated fundraising team and to help launch a crowdfunding campaign.
