Famous Blackpool attraction for sale

A Golden Mile attraction has been put up for sale with a £3 million pound price tag.

Gateshead-based owner the Noble Organisation says it has already had several expressions of interest in the site, which has been closed all winter.

In February the company won planning permission to convert the attraction into an indoor market, but Noble’s property director Philip Thompson said a new owner could re-open it as an amusement arcade.

He said: “Funland is surplus to our business requirements but represents a good opportunity for someone else to run.

“We have taken a look at our portfolio and feel this would be better off in someone else’s hands.

“We have advertised it for sale and are expecting a very strong response.

“We have already been contacted by quite a number of interested parties. We would like to sell it quickly and a new owner could get it open and trading again in time for the new season.

“We will continue to concentrate on Coral Island, which is the cornerstone of our business in Blackpool, and we are still going through the planning processes for the Palace building, which we also own.”

In February the Noble won a planning appeal after Blackpool Council turned down an application to use Funland as an indoor market.

A previous application to convert the building into a casino was also turned down by the council in 2004.

Noble will continue to operate the Coral Island amusement arcade and is pursuing plans to convert the former Palace nightclub into a casino and cabaret venue.

CounMaxine Callow, cabinet Member for tourism and regeneration said, “This is a prime seafront location and we hope purchasers will provide quality, family friendly facilities for visitors.”