'Horrified' thrill-seeker flees Blackpool Pleasure Beach because visitors were 'packed in like cattle'

Durham woman Jennifer Gibson visited the South Shore tourist trap on Saturday with her husband but said she felt unsafe because it was “rammed” .

She said: “We arrived at 10am and it seemed busy but most were practicing social distancing. We queued and got on three rides with most people social distancing.

“By 11am to 11.30am it was rammed at full capacity. We left as we felt so unsafe and that’s not us normally. We were horrified.

“We are so shocked as we booked online, read all the Covid information, and saw it was good to go. How horrified we were when we realised how unsafe it was.”

Writing on the Pleasure Beach’s Facebook page, visitor Casey Kennedy said she had an “absolutely terrible” experience, with “terrible” queues and “no social distancing whatsoever”.

Anna Turner added: “There’s no social distancing,” with people “packed in like cattle, shoulder-to-shoulder”.

Ed Roger wrote: “We went today [and had] exactly the same experience. Utterly appalling.”

A Pleasure Beach spokesman said a “comprehensive programme” of coronavirus procedures was being followed.

And he said visitors are being advised in advance about the guidelines.

He added: “As we enter our fifth week of operation since reopening on July 4, we review and adapt these [procedures] based upon Government and health authority guidance plus guests behaviour across our 42-acre site.

“These are communicated to guests in advance of their visit via email, on our website and social media channels.

“When guests arrive we have signage, voice announcements and ambassadors to assist and guide staff.”

The use of face coverings such as masks are also required in certain parts of the park and guests are advised to wear them where necessary.

The spokesman said: “Face coverings are required on a number of rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

“In addition to this and in line with government and health authority guidelines face coverings are also required in all retail shops, takeaway units and our ticket sales offices.”