Eastbourne seafront attraction will not reopen

UPDATE: Fort Fun on Eastbourne seafront has announced it will not reopen.
Fort Fun EastbourneFort Fun Eastbourne
Fort Fun Eastbourne

The seafront venue had been closed during the pandemic and while government lockdown restrictions meant indoor play areas could reopen from Monday, an announcement was posted on Fort Fun’s website saying it was closing permanently.

A spokesperson for the company said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, it had decided not to reopen and had reached an agreement to hand the site back to Eastbourne council, which is the freeholder of the site.

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The council is now developing interim plans to operate some of the kiosks on the site over the summer in order to help support the economy of the town as lockdown eases.

Fort Fun in EastbourneFort Fun in Eastbourne
Fort Fun in Eastbourne

The Fort Fun spokesperson added, “Partyman would like to thank all our amazing customers and staff who have supported and visited us over the last five years.”

People with have annual passes for the attraction and who pay by monthly instalments have been told their direct debit payments have been cancelled.

Fort Fun, an indoor and outdoor adventure park, is run by Partyman Group Limited, which also operates other indoor soft play centres, day nurseries, laser combat arenas and an adventure farm.

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Partyman is the brainchild of entrepreneur James Sinclair, who started his career entertaining as Jimbo the Partyman at the age of 15, built up an entertainment agency, then moved into acquiring his first soft play venue, laser arenas, day nursery and outdoor venues. The business grew to include Fort Fun and Rocky’s indoor play area.

People took to social media to express their concerns at the news.

Gemma Collumbell said, “I really hope the council get someone else to take it on as a kids’ play park attraction as I loved it as a kid and wanted to take my little girl there. It has so much potential.”

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