Canvey seafront attraction Fantasy Island is to take on the lease of the former Leisure Island funfair, which closed in February after 20 years, with the expansion into the neighbouring plot allowing the Gray family to “do some wonderful things.”
Two months after Leisure Island on Canvey seafront announced its closure, Castle Point Borough Council has confirmed that neighbouring attraction Fantasy Island will take on the site to enhance its offer and achieve “some wonderful things.”
The family fun park ceased trading in February after 20 years, and though Fantasy Island owners Derek and Suzanne Gray said expansion was “out of our hands” at the time, it has now been suggested that they could look to reopen the site this season.
“They want a chance to get open for the summer,” councillor Barry Palmer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “I know they have some ideas and have been talking about it. They are great people and did have some big plans but didn’t have the room at their existing site.”
“Now with this new additional plot it will be a chance for them to do some wonderful things. It will be interesting to see what they do there.”
The Grays are yet to comment publicly on proceedings, but had said in February “we would love to expand to offer great new facilities and attractions to the seafront.”
Leisure Island Fun Park thanked “everyone who has supported us over the last 20 years” when it made the announcement of its closure, with owner Scott Petty also thanking the 3,000 members of staff who had worked at the park in that time.
“As everyone knows, 95 percent of our staff were 16 and 17 year olds and started their working life at the park. It’s so sad we have had to close the park but hopefully we have created loads of memories for the families that visited us.”
The decision to close came after a difficult year for Petty, which included a fire at the park and family bereavement.
Speaking on the terms of the new Fantasy Island deal, Palmer added: “The council has offered them a two-year lease, with a reasonable rate to help get them started at first, and after that, the cost will be more after it’s up and running.”
