Blackpool Pleasure Beach has announced that it’s time to say goodbye to one of its legendary rides after more than six decades.
The Lancashire seaside theme park is calling on fans to travel from far and wide to help “wave the chequered flag for a final time” as it bids farewell to the beloved Grand Prix ride after an impressive 64 years of racing.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the attraction, Grand Prix is a track ride that opened at Blackpool Pleasure Beach all the way back in 1960 – but, after more than six decades in action, the resort announced that the ride would not operate for the 2024 season as it is “planning a new attraction” instead.
And so, a “spectacular send-off” is being planned in a couple of months time in a bid to properly show the historic ride the love it deserves.
Grand Prix: The Final Lap is all set kick-off from 6pm on Friday 7 June, and tickets are now on sale and already selling fast among those keen to wave the race off into the distance.
ADVERTISEMENT
A description for the highly-anticipated event on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach website reads: “It’s lights out, and away we go. As our Grand Prix ride leaves the pits for the final time, join us in celebrating 64 years of racing.
“An evening of memorable performances by local artists and musicians, live DJ sets, and entertainment from Pleasure Beach’s own Grid Girls. Of course, as the main event, guests will have the chance to enjoy the Grand Prix for one final time, experience the same G-force as an F1 driver on ICON, and receive a commemorative certificate to verify that they were one of the last people to ride such an iconic ride, as well as a memento ticket.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The legendary Grand Prix ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is to close after 64 years / Credit: Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Real-life supercars provided by Bispham-based business Elite Competitions, along with the Pleasure Beach’s own Jordan F1 car, will also be there on the day for fans to marvel at, and you’ll even be able to have your pictures taken with the iconic vehicles too.
You’ll be greeted with prosecco on arrival to the party, all before you get to tuck into a wide array of Grand Prix-themed snacks and food.
As mentioned, tickets to Grand Prix: The Final Lap are now on sale on the Blackpool Pleasure Beach website, and will set you back £50 each.
Data reveals Manchester hotel prices have ALREADY surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates
Emily Sergeant
Manchester hotel prices have apparently already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates, some new data has revealed.
Of course, absolutely nothing is set in stone yet and we are still yet to receive any form of announcement.
But with rumours having been swirling for months now that Oasis will be touring again in 2027, and several videos shared on the band’s social media platforms this week also hinting at that, it’s been revealed that searches for ‘when are Oasis tickets going on sale?’ have soared by 5,000% in the last seven days alone.
After recent data has pointed towards soaring searches for tickets, the experts at SeatPick decided to analyse the average cost of accommodation in Manchester on the suspected concert nights in June 2027 to uncover if prices have surged along with the searches.
Data reveals that Manchester hotel prices have already surged by 462% on rumoured Oasis tour dates / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Press Picture)
And lo and behold, it appears that they have.
The ticketing platform has revealed that hotel prices have surged by up to 462% during Oasis’ rumoured concert nights in Manchester.
The rumoured weekend date of 19 and 20 June has experienced the most noticeable price surge – with a two-star hotel costing an average of £216 for just one overnight stay.
The data also reveals that the rumoured finale on the 27 June has just a £95 difference between two-star hotels (£200) and five-star hotels (£295).
“Our analysis uncovered an enormous markup for local accommodation on nights that Oasis is rumoured to perform in Manchester,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO at ticket platform SeatPick.
“Being aware of these accommodation costs and additional expenses can help fans plan and avoid being caught off guard by inflated prices on concert nights.
“To find the best deals on hotels, concertgoers should scan budget chains in the city or look slightly outside of the centre in hotspots served by local bus routes or regional trains, such as Salford and Trafford.
“Booking early might also be beneficial for fans dedicated to seeing the band perform.
“You can opt for free cancellation options, in case rumoured dates change, or you’re no longer able to attend.”
Featured Image – Point3D (via Unsplash)
Trending
Aldi confirms ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has announced that it’ll, once again, be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK – but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues ‘for all their hard work’ throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That’s not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to ‘ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day’
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year’s Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
“Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
“We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd April 2024 
