Brean Theme Park’s long‑term future is back in the spotlight again this week after Unity Holidays took back control of the site on Monday (March 23rd) from the park’s operator.
The theme park — which has been part of the local tourism economy for more than 80 years — has faced uncertainty in recent months.
Unity Holidays CEO Mark Seaton said on Monday that the company had become “increasingly concerned” about “overdue payments” and the operator’s financial position.
He says: “News that a company associated with Brean Theme Park had entered liquidation earlier this year came as a surprise to many. However, a pattern of overdue payments had left us increasingly concerned about the operator’s financial position.”
Mr Seaton confirmed that on Monday, March 23rd, Unity Holidays made the “difficult decision” to forfeit the operator’s lease after he said key obligations were not met.
He added that Unity Holidays has seen “many comments on social media calling on us to take positive steps to help secure the theme park’s future,” and stressed that the company’s priority is to ensure the attraction continues to play a major role in local tourism.
“Our priority is to ensure Brean Theme Park continues to provide great‑value family fun, support tourism on the west coast of Somerset, and remain a reason for people to visit Brean and Burnham‑On‑Sea,” he said.
“Our intention is to work alongside an operator able to invest in the park’s future so it can be enjoyed by holidaymakers and the local community for many years to come.”
Unity Holidays also moved to reassure visitors that the situation affects only the theme park’s operating company. The wider resort — including Brean Splash, Brean Play and the Unity holiday park — continue to operate as normal.
Formal legal documents were attached to the gates of the theme park on Monday. It comes after the theme park had re-opened for the new holiday season on Saturday March 21st.
The full comment from Unity Holidays’ CEO Mark Seaton states: “At more than 80 years old, Brean Theme Park is a much-loved part of the local economy and community with visitors travelling from across Somerset and the UK. News that a company associated with Brean Theme Park had entered liquidation earlier this year came as a surprise to many. However, a pattern of overdue payments had left us increasingly concerned about the operator’s financial position.”
“On Monday March 23, following a failure to meet key lease obligations, we made the difficult decision, as landlord, to forfeit the operator’s lease. We have seen many comments on social media calling on Unity Holidays to take positive steps to help secure the theme park’s future.”
“Our priority is to ensure Brean Theme Park continues to provide great-value family fun, support tourism on the west coast of Somerset, and remain a reason for people to visit Brean and Burnham-On-Sea. Our intention is to work alongside an operator able to invest in the park’s future so it can be enjoyed by holidaymakers and the local community for many years to come.”
