Seafront funfair to shut after more than 100 years

A seaside funfair dating back more than 100 years is to close later this year, its owners have announced.

Coney Beach Amusement Park, which opened in the Newton area of Porthcawl, Bridgend county, in 1918, will close in October, the owners said in a post on Facebook.

"It's the end of an era, for over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl helping to make it a busy seaside destination," the Evans family added.

It follows a consultation in February on plans by Bridgend council and the Welsh government to redevelop the waterfront with up to 1,100 new homes, shops and restaurants, and the extension of boardwalks and green spaces.

"We will miss it greatly and while we are sad to see our time here come to an end we are forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have been part of so many generations of families lives, young and old," the owners added.

"Thank you for sharing our love of 'all the fun of the fair' and the legacy that Coney Beach leaves."

Simon Hogarth, 29, owner of fried chicken restaurant The Bone Cartel said it would be strange to see Coney Beach go.

The business opened in August last year and is close to Coney Beach Amusement Park.

"I think it's going to be sad, the tourism side of things definitely might take a hit," he said.

"Eighty percent of my customer base is families, and Coney Beach have brought a lot of families into Porthcawl.

"It's really sad. We're all Porthcawl lads, we've grown up using the fair, and we've seen first-hand how busy it gets when the fair is busy," he said.

"We'll be trying to make the most of the summer and see what happens after October."

Jason Green, owner of Mansel's chip shop, which is located next to the amusement park, said the closure would affect many small businesses significantly.

"It's going to have a big impact on the area... it's the end of an era," he said.

Small businesses rely heavily on the half price nights and firework nights that the fair runs, he said.

"They do bring a lot of customers for the local businesses."

Lucy Domachowski and her father Paul Domachowski who own Harbwr Deli in the town agreed it was the end of an era.

"There's no denying how emotional this moment is for the community," Ms Domachowski said.

"Coney Beach has been at the heart of the seafront for generations - a place packed with memories, tradition and family fun. But we also know the town is changing."

She added it was vital the town didn't "lose the spirit that's made Porthcawl so special for so long".

"Whatever comes next needs to honour our past while building something that truly benefits the local community - not just visitors," she said.

"A thriving, welcoming seafront is something everyone here wants to see - and we hope the next chapter reflects that."

Lauren Evans, 29, managing director of Fablas Ice Cream, said the amusement park had put the town on the map, but added the closure was "not the end of Porthcawl".

"Trecco Bay has had massive investment and that is thriving now," she said.

"Hopefully the incoming investment will make the whole town and high street a bustling hive of activity."

Dave Jones, owner of Coney's Seafood, said it "hasn't sunk in yet".

"We've heard the rumours of it going, but now it's actually happening it is a shock.

"I don't know what the future holds right now. I'm sure there will be a downfall in turnover once it's gone."

Dionne Howell, 54, said the announcement was "disappointing".

"We only come up for the day to use it, we used to come as a family, it's lovely up here, we would always have a whale of a time," she said.

Dionne's daughter, Poppy, 16, said, "it's always been a good adventure to come up here, but Porthcawl is still lovely".

Julie Burton, 60, said she regularly attended the funfair when she was a child.

"I remember coming here as a babe, when I was a little tot, and for this to go, what's going to happen? It's a lovely day down here, and we love it down here, where are we going to go once it's gone?"

Bernard Burton, 70, from Caerphilly said he was "gutted" when he heard the announcement.

"This was a main place for us to come, we've come here for the whole of our lives."