Southport Pleasureland pledges continued support for local events in 2022

Southport Pleasureland has revealed plans to continue its support for a number of large events taking place in Southport this year.

Owner Norman Wallis has been involved in discussions with local event organisers to ensure that they provide the best experience possible for participants and spectators, raise thousands of pounds for charities and good causes while also minimising disruption for local businesses in the town.

In a few days’ time, Southport Pleasureland will once again welcome hundreds of participants for the start of the popular annual Star Trekk walk which is a vital fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice.

The amusement park is also looking forward to once again hosting the Halloween 5k Race on Sunday 30th October for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, which is the official Charity Partner for Southport Pleasureland.

Southport Triathlon makes its way past Southport Pleasureland

Norman Wallis has also been enjoying discussions with Run North West and Epic Events about their forthcoming events.

In March, the business owner – who employs around 150 local people at the park each year – called for more joined-up thinking between event organisers, business owners and the community leaders.

His call was made after he was surprised to learn at the last-minute of a triathlon taking place which involved the closure of several major roads around the seafront area, impacting severely on many local businesses.

The unexpected road closures were imposed just days after Southport Pleasureland reopened for the 2022 season, the first March it has been able to reopen for three years after the devastating impact of lockdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Norman Wallis said:

“I am a little concerned that some people misunderstood the point I was trying to make about races happening in the town.

“I am absolutely NOT opposed to races – but as with other nearby business owners I am really keen to ensure that there is joined up thinking between community leaders, the race organisers and local businesses to ensure that everyone benefits and nobody suffers.

“If Southport Pleasureland can help to raise awareness and get more people to sign up for these events, especially the charity ones, then so much the better.”

Southport Pleasureland regularly supports and helps to organise a number of popular local events.

These include the Star Trekk walk for Queenscourt Hospice, which is now in its 16th year and has raised over £870,000 in that time.

The Queenscourt Hospice Star Trekk starts and ends at Southport Pleasureland. Queenscourt fundraisers Dianne Gillespie (left) and Linda Chicken (right)

Each year over 600 participants take part in this fun event which is open to everybody. Southport Pleasureland has proudly supported this event for many years and the local amusement park is the base race headquarters, as well as the site of the start and finish lines.

This year’s event takes place on Friday 6th May – more info here.

Alder Hey Children’s charity held its 2021 Halloween 5k race in conjunction with Pleasureland (AHCC is its charity partner) and the date for this year’s event has been confirmed and will be Sunday 30th October.

The Queenscourt Hospice Star Trekk starts and ends at Southport Pleasureland

The 2021 event supported by Pleasureland raised over £18,000 and attracted 500 runners. The plan for the 2022 event is to grow that number significantly. Entries are now open here.

Pleasureland has been working with Run North West to help ensure the continued success of their annual Seaside 10K. In previous years the route has led to some difficulties accessing the Pleasureland site for staff and guests. However, Pleasureland and Run North West have worked together on the 2022 event to ensure it will be a great success for both parties.

The official race charity is DKMS is a charity dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders. Entries are open for 2022 here and the event hopes to attract at least 1,000 runners.

Norman Wallis and Rob McLeod of Epic Events, organisers of the Southport Triathlon, have been in discussion regarding the forthcoming Southport Triathlon event on 22nd May with a view to working together to ensure minimal impact for local businesses like Pleasureland while still putting on a fantastic event for the competitors.

Entries are open here.

Pleasureland owner Norman Wallis with Rob McLeod of Epic Events, which organises Southport Triathlon

Norman Wallis said: “In response to recent claims from a local politician which suggested that I am against race events happening in Southport, this is absolutely not the case.

“They didn’t just have the wrong end of the stick, but the wrong stick completely!

“I welcome and encourage anything that brings people to our town.

“When organisers of these events work together with local businesses then it is for the good of everyone, and this is proven by the examples above.

“I would like to encourage community leaders and the organisers of these events to always join forces with local businesses as then the events can be the very best they can be and to the benefit of all.”