'Much-loved' Super Snails will not return to beach

A Super Snails ride, that has been a "much-loved" tourist attraction in a seaside town for nearly 25 years, will not return this summer.

Owner, Cesar Palucsis, says his business has suffered as a result of the decision.

Weymouth Town Council has merged pitches for attractions on the beach meaning the snails missed out, but says that stakeholders were invited to apply for a new licence.

The merged site will have seven rides from one company and will include trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter-skelter.

Mr Palucsis says people were saddened when they heard his ride had not been given a licence: "They brought their kids and second-generation kids and it carries on.

"We did have some people being upset seeing that there will not be a pitch for the snails.

"I tried to reassure people that we are trying to look forward, to make some way a pitch, or try to come to a conclusion with the council in a forward direction."

Owners at the resort have to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to October.

A statement from Weymouth Town Council says the licenses expired in October and that "in November we contacted all stakeholders to make them aware of the tender renewal in the new year, and possible changes to attraction sites".

The ride is not only popular with locals, but also with people in the rollercoaster community.

Kat, who is from Ohio in the United States, has ridden over 3,000 rollercoasters and the Weymouth Super Snails is one of them.

She said she loved the ride so much that she went on it three times.

"I think it's a much-loved ride in the entire country, it's generational ride.

"When I was there I was so happy to see little people riding with their grandparents and they had been talking about the adventures that they had when they were children."

An observation wheel, which is being dubbed the Weymouth Wheel by locals, is also being added to the beach attractions this year.

The resort previously had a £3.5m 53m-high (174ft) rotating viewing platform.

Jurassic Skyline opened in June 2012 ahead of the London Olympic sailing events, but closed in 2019 due to falling visitor numbers.

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