Coney Beach Amusement Park in Wales to Close After 100 Years for Major Redevelopment

Coney Beach Amusement Park, a beloved seaside funfair in Porthcawl, Wales, is set to close in October after more than 100 years of operation. Originally established in 1918 to entertain American troops returning from World War I and named after New York's Coney Island, the park has been a local landmark offering attractions like waterslides, dodgems, go-karts, and a ghost train. The Evans family, owners of the park, expressed deep gratitude for being part of generations of families' lives and described the closure as the 'end of an era.' This closure follows the recent shutdown of Oakwood Theme Park, marking a challenging year for Welsh amusement parks. The site will be redeveloped as part of the Porthcawl Waterfront Regeneration Project, which includes plans for 1,100 new homes, shops, restaurants, a primary school, and expanded leisure facilities. Local businesses anticipate a significant impact from the closure, as events hosted by the park have traditionally boosted customer traffic in the area.