Weymouth's Sandworld future secured
The attraction at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth is staying open for an extra week to make more time for staycationers
Weymouth's Sandworld has reopened and will be staying open for an extra week past the end of its normal season.
Owners of the 10-year-old business arrived at Lodmoor Country Park last month to find the locks had been changed.
Landlords have now reached an agreement which will set the attraction's future in stone.
A statement on Sandworld's Facebook Page says:
"Our Landlord- LeisureRanch, own and operate the site next to us ( the go-karts) and had taken on our site many years ago, as an extension to their own, but when we discovered it in 2010, it was mostly overgrown and unused. They kindly agreed to sub let the land to us, and were extremely helpful and accommodating to us as a struggling fledgling seasonal business.
"10 years on, we are extremely pleased that they have now agreed to sell us the lease for the land we are on, which has 14 years remaining. Subject to Council approval, we can start making plans for 2022 and beyond, we just have to make it happen!"
Director of Sandworld, Mark Anderson old Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"For a little while there we were slightly nervous, fortunately we've come to an agreement with the landlord to purchase the lease.
"We've had a tremendous amount of support from the locals and visitors alike. It is definitely something that's ingrained in Weymouth now and part of the tourism 'things-to-do' when you come to Weymouth.
"I think it's well-loved."
Mark says staying open for another week makes the most sense with so many people flocking to the county for half-term.
"It's really put our minds to rest. The last couple of years have been tough, obviously, but with the staycationing, it has benefitted us. Weymouth has benefitted, I'm sure. The amount of people who have been coming to the seaside, it reminds me of the 70's when I was a kid and I looked across the beach and it's jam-packed.
"So hopefully that's all ended with now and we can get back to normal."
Anyone arriving in full fancy dress can get free entry and can have a go carving their own sand pumpkin.
You can find out more on their social media pages.