Attractions across the south west of England have said they are “fighting for life” as the season begins, with Crealy Theme Park’s Josh Haywood telling the BBC that the coming week will be crucial for gauging how the rest of the year will pan out.
Crealy Theme Park in Devon is hoping for a stellar Easter weekend, as one of a number of attractions across the south west are looking to the first week of the season as a bellwether for what to expect from the rest of the year.
Speaking to the BBC, MD Josh Haywood explained how the park had invested heavily in new rides in order to attract guests, with the opening week of the new season likely to be crucial in gauging the response, and ensuring positive word-of-mouth.
“Easter is the yardstick,” said Haywood. “We’ll be able to judge the success of our whole season in the next ten days. We’ve seen theme parks and attractions chuck in the towel. It does feel like we are fighting for our lives.”
“It’s tough out there, national minimum wage, national insurance increases but we feel as a business, it’s the right time to invest. New rides, new accommodation, new facilities. If you want people to spend their hard earned cash, you’ve got to give them something to spend it on.”
Crealy has invested more than £500,000 on a new Pirates’ Plummet ride, and a further £1m on a new ride due to open this May.
Visiting the attraction ahead of the Easter break, tourism minister Stephanie Peacock said the amusement and leisure sector was “hugely important” to the national economy.
“We want to attract an increasing number of visitors to the UK, we want them to stay longer and travel further.”
“Talking to businesses here, I’ve heard that there is a cumulative challenge for the sector, the government is listening and that’s why we’re going to publish our tourism growth strategy in the months ahead.”
In search of an Easter revival
Josh Haywood said… “It’s tough out there, national minimum wage, national insurance increases but we feel as a business, it’s the right time to invest. New rides, new accommodation, new facilities. If you want people to spend their hard earned cash, you’ve got to give them something to spend it on…
Originally published on Coinslot on April 13, 2026. Republished with permission.