Exclusive:What to expect from new children's fairground at Endcliffe Park as new operator revealed
The new operator has explained his plans for the fairground at Endcliffe Park
An era has ended at Endcliffe Park.
Jon Pullin’s Amusements, who had run the park’s historic fairground for 40 years, completed their last day running the fairground rides on Sunday (November 1).
But now the young businessman who is taking over the site is hoping to build his own era at the park, and has outlined to The Star for the first time his hopes and his plans for the venue, which he says will be ‘spot on’.
Mason Downing, aged 21, is taking the site over, and says he has high hopes for the future of the venue.
Mason has been involved with fairgrounds since childhood, and previously worked for his dad at fairgrounds in West Yorkshire from the age of 12. He has already run facilities in Sheffield, including the boats at Millhouses Park, and rides at Hillsborough.
He hopes to have his new attractions on the site and up and running by February next year, and is looking to get the site ready for them in the coming weeks. However he does not want to put a timescale on things.
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“We need to do the groundwork first,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of ideas, but want to finish the groundwork first.
“I have rides, but it is a case of if which ones we put there, and I’m weighing up the options.”
He has items including bouncy castles and small roundabouts, as well as a children’s-sized big wheel, which are among the items that he is considering for the site.
But he says he thinks he will rotate the items he uses, so youngsters will be able to try something different from time to time.
He said: “It will be spot on. I want it to be perfect when it opens so people say ‘wow’.
“I’m also looking at different opening. I want to open all the way through the summer, Monday to Friday 1pm until 5pm, when the children have finished school, and for the preschoolers with their parents, regardless of if it’s a school day.
“When I was small we used to make special trips to Xscape, near Castleford, to go on the rides. I want it to be the same at Endcliffe Park.”
He is also looking at have a theme for the fairground. One possibility is dinosaurs, and he has spoken to an American company which would be able to provide a proposal.
Sheffield Council said in a statement: “Pullins have operated the children’s rides at Endcliffe Park for many years, becoming a familiar part of the park for generations of families.
“We would like to thank Pullins for their contribution to the park over that time.
“Following a competitive process, Mason Downing has been appointed as the new operator.
“The new operator will now develop their plans for the site, including investment in rides and play equipment.
“We look forward to working with Mason Downing and building on the site’s long history as a popular attraction for families visiting Endcliffe Park.”