Blackpool, UK - Blackpool Pleasure Beach made an announcement this past week that the park has recently engaged in talks to borrow cash for a new investment. According to the Blackpool Gazette, the park has not stated how much they are seeking for the loan, nor any specifics about what they plan on using the money for, other than “to facilitate new investment at the park.”

The park has applied to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for a loan through the Growing Places Fund, a fund established to provide money for investments which can help generate growth. Recently, the park borrowed £5 million from the Blackpool Council to fund half of its £10 million Nickelodeon Land. Blackpool does not plan on seeking further funds from them, and seems to have the support from town hall chiefs on their new bid. Speaking on that loan, councilor Tony Williams told the Blackpool Gazette, “We lent them money when we were in administration and they are very up to date with payin git back. The loan has made the council money and brought people to the town.”

Given the nature of the fund, it would seem the most likely investment would be a new attraction (or attractions) of some sort, which would draw in more people to the park and/or potentially create some new jobs. Since the park’s last major addition was 2011’s Nickelodeon Land, a family-friendly section adding new attractions and updating old ones, and it has not seen a new coaster since 2007’s addition of the relocated Vekoma SLC, Infusion, it seems likely the money could be used to bring in a new thrill ride or coaster.

The park suffered from poor weather conditions through the first half of the year thus far, hurting the park’s attendance and profitability. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Holdings Ltd, the park’s parent company, also holds a significant level of debt, estimated around £14 million. This makes LEP an even more attractive prospect for the company, given their lower interest rates on loans. Nothing has been finalized as of yet, and the park must prove that their investment will do more to create jobs and help stimulate the economy than other requests for loan money from the LEPs limited funds.