With the closure of the original Pleasureland Southport in September 2006, the park’s Cyclone roller coaster stood idle on the sea front. Dating from 1937, the ride was designed by Charles Paige who had built the Grand National at Blackpool Pleasure Beach two years earlier.
Its history until that point had not been without mishaps, with hurricane force winds and fire ravaging the ride over the course of its existence.
With the ride’s future uncertain, a number of protestors led by Peter Crompton scaled the ride armed with banners, trying to secure a listing of the ride. Despite their efforts and much publicity, the ride ultimately wasn’t saved and was demolished with the bulk of the park, dating back the best part of a century.
