Changes are proposed at the Isle of Wight’s — and the UK’s — oldest amusement park, which could see it allowed to open until the early hours of the morning.
Blackgang Chine park operator, Vectis Ventures, is applying to the Isle of Wight Council to change the licence the attraction holds. It is looking to increase the number of activities it provides, adding performances of dance, showing films, providing late-night refreshments and selling alcohol anywhere across the park.
Current licensable activities are only allowed to take place outdoors but the variation could see them happen indoors as well.
The theme park, which attracts more than 130,000 to 140,000 visitors a year, is currently able to open from 09:30 to 22:00 but under the new proposals it could open from 08:00 to 01:30.
It comes as Blackgang Chine hosts more evening events, some exclusively geared towards adults. Licensing hours would extend from 22:00 to 01:00 — allowing a 30-minute winding down period to clear guests from the park.
The extended hours would also allow plays and live and recorded music to go on longer, and alcohol to be sold later. At the moment, alcohol is only allowed to be sold at 5 locations across the park but it is hoped, with a site-wide licence, alcohol could be sold anywhere.
Any drinking promotions, the park said, would be socially responsible and would not encourage excessive drinking.
The park said it will have trained security staff on duty during events and at peak trading periods, being extra vigilant over a longer period of time. Risk assessments and event management plans would feature noise management and queue management policies.
You can view the application, 23/00816/LAPVAR, on the council’s licence register. Representations can be made to the Isle of Wight Council by 30th June.
For most of year, doesn’t leave much daylight to clean up after late-night festivities before the kiddies turn up.
When they’re closed for the winter season?
What a ridiculous idea, it will encourage more drink driving
and drink driving is rife on the Island now.
Spot on Paul. One thing the island , indeed the UK, does not need is the increased availability of alcohol. It is the cause of much antisocial behaviour , violence, domestic problems and ill health.
I am not against responsible drinking, but the minority who abuse it cause mayhem for the rest of us.
Blacking should keep in mind its main selling point – family appeal.
I thought that Blackgang Chine was supposed to be mostly for children
No, mostly for profit
Don’t let them’Dark skies at night lot know ‘.You can imagine their homeguards shouting “put that light out”. Perhaps Blackgang can help Dover out with welcoming the inflatable boat arrivals!!
Good to see a great Island Business continually invest, create employment opportunities and entertainment for a number of demographics on the Island.
I wish them the best of luck.
I’m pretty sure people don’t go to Blackgang Chine for a night out on the booze, contrary to what some commenters here are implying!
I think they’d probably be going for the entertainment and perhaps enjoying a pint or a glass of wine maybe with a meal.
Why would anyone spend £30, or whatever the entrance price is, per person, for a night’s drinking when they could go to a pub for free and do their drinking?
But, seemingly, there’s people who want to complain about every single thing, no matter whether it affects them or not.
I don’t think the target audience is after a glass of wine and a meal. Judging from recent events it will be more like an Ibiza rave. They will obviously be having a few drinks with their evening of entertainment but not going there for a “session” at inflated prices. Of course, there will always be a small minority who over-indulge and can’t take a drink but they will soon be excluded. It is not like they will be walking home from Blackgang Chine with a skinful! Presumably, a bus will be in operation to ferry all of these late night revellers back home.
I hope that it all works out and livens the island up. Given climate change, the island could soon be a major destination for young people looking for a party scene. Bring it on!
It’ll be families with unruly kids getting unruly and sloshed like they do on holiday more like! Expecting staff to keep control of their horrible kids!
It would be nice if it was a cultural exercise for decent people but something tells me that that won’t happen some how sadly
Recipe for disaster if ever I heard one!! Imagine trying to get a bus home from there at 2 pm in the morning! It’s bad enough as it is, and keeping an eye on those one over the yard arm ;( gawd!
Dangerous place to get smashed and go missing, what are they thinking!?
More alcohol more problems
Island dark sky’s or Blackgang illuminations, you can’t have both, I wonder which one will win.
Disgraceful. Why on earth would you want alcohol at a kid’s park? Hardly encouraging good parenting