ADVENTURE Island bosses are celebrating after scooping two prestigious national awards, highlighting the theme park as one of the country’s very best.
The seafront theme park picked up two gold awards at the 2024 UK Theme Park Awards for “best seaside park” and “best value park”.
New ride Vertigo, which was added to the park in April this year, has also been nominated for the best new ride at the “Park World Excellence Awards”.
Philip Miller MBE, executive chairman of Stockvale Group, welcomed the awards while residents have been delighted to see Adventure Island once again recognised.
Julie Carrol, 40, loves a visit to the park with her family and praised bosses for keeping it afforable after all these years.
She said: “It’s great for the kids and the wristbands are great value. It’s got something for kids of all age - we had teenagers down to small children with us and they all loved it.”
“I think it’s a really reasonable day out and it’s great that the adults don’t have to pay to accompany small children on the rides”
Vertigo - a fearsome drop tower - has proved a huge hit at the park and the team are hoping it could claim first place for the best new ride on a limited budget.
The Millers grabbed a deal on the ride after picking it up from Italy after it was designed and built for a separate theme park that then backed out of the deal.
He said: “I couldn’t be prouder of the Adventure Island team bringing home two gold awards from the UK Theme Park Awards 2024.
“Being nominated alongside some of the biggest theme parks in the country is a proud moment for all of us.
“We know it’s been a tough year so being recognised for ‘Best Value’ just highlights this.”
Matt Dent, Labour councillor responsible for business, culture and tourism, congratulated the much-loved Southend business.
He said: “Massive congratulations are due to Adventure Island for winning not one but two UK theme park awards.
“It reflects the hard work that I know the whole Adventure Island family put into their work.
“The park is one of the highlights of Southend seafront, and a key part of the vibrant tourist offer in city, and is well loved by both residents and visitors.
“I am delighted to see its success being recognised at a national level.”
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