The Daily Express has claimed that the UK theme park sector is “dying” after the recent closure of Oakwood and Leisure Island Fun Park, with the article suggesting Britons are “turning their backs” on established attractions.

Writing last week, reporter Lauran O’Toole added that Fantasy Island’s decision to reduce the days its rides were open outside of the summer season was another indicator that theme parks “are at risk of going extinct.”

“Brits are seemingly turning their backs to old fashioned ways of having fun,” wrote O’Toole. “In recent years a flurry of some of the UK’s best loved theme parks have been forced to close, generating the question about whether the theme park industry is dying.”

“The UK theme park sector is facing a challenging time with some parks struggling with rising costs and declining visitor numbers as some businesses struggle to compete with more established attractions.”

The paper singled out Oakwood and Canvey Island’s Leisure Island Fun Park – which both closed earlier this year – as being emblematic of a larger problem, adding that Wicksteed Park in Kettering is also struggling to attract footfall on the same level as pre-pandemic.

“People don’t seem to be planning family days out as much as they used to,” said Wicksteed MD Kelly Richardson.