A FAMILY-favourite fairground has closed for the last time after 20 years after struggling with the remote location.
Revellers were said to be “gutted” after Dingles Fairground Museum in Okehampton, Devon made the “difficult decision”.
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Owners of the much-loved attraction said they couldn’t see a future at the rural coastal site.
They first announced the planned closure in March this year, when the Fairground Heritage Trust said: “A large number of factors have combined to force the trustees to take this very difficult decision.
“Since the pandemic, it is increasingly clear that with a limited season, a remote site and a scattered, rural local population the site is not viable as a stand-alone single-product museum attraction.
“In addition, we have long-benefitted from favourable rents and, as our lease is due to expire shortly, that will inevitably lead to further cost increases.
“This, taken together with aforementioned reasons, we can see no viable path to continue to operate in Devon.”
Dingles closed for the last time this weekend and bid fans an emotional farewell on Facebook.
“The Fairground Museum (Dingles) has now closed for good. We would like to thank all our visitors and friends for your support over the past years,” they wrote.
“So many people have put their heart and soul into building the place up into what it has become over the past 20 years. We are gutted to be closing .
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. Our wonderful, friendly team have enjoyed entertaining you, celebrating with you and helping you, our visitors of all ages have fun.
“The collection will move to a more central location, Statfold Country Park, Tamworth, Staffs. It will be housed in a purpose-built museum building, in a country park setting with nature trails.
“There is a choice of cafes, narrow gauge railway, soft play barn, retro roller disco, mini golf, free parking and caravan and motorhome facilities . An approx 3hr 15 min drive from Exeter, 3 hrs by Rail from Exeter direct to Tamworth. Statfold is 3 miles by bus.”
Most of the rides will be moved to Statfold Country Park near Tamworth.
The remaining will be relocated to a storage facility.
Staff shared a snap of them on the bumper cars and thanked visitors for “all their support over the years”.
“We will miss seeing you smile, hearing you laugh (and scream) and being part of making your happy memories,” they added.
People flocked to the comment section to praise the vintage fairground.
“Such a pity, but we wish you all the very best of luck for the future,” one wrote.
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“Thank you so much for all the memories and joy you brought to me and my family when we visited. So many years we visited during the summer reliving the enjoyment the rides gave to so many on there travels,” another echoed.
“Such and amazing place a huge loss for Devon but thank you for all the fun and memories which will never be forgotten,” wrote a third.
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