Blackpool's back on a roll as theme park returns to profit thanks to a warm summer and the rise of the British 'staycation'

Published: 16:00 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 16:00 EST, 5 September 2015

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach jumped back into profit last year after a warm summer, more competitive prices and the continuing fashion for British ‘staycations’ helped to boost the crowds.

The number of visitors to the seaside theme park rose by 12 per cent in the year to March.

The pleasure beach – which is owned and run by the descendants of founder William George Bean who bought the 42-acre site in 1896 – has nine roller coasters including The Big One.

Hold tight: The Big One steel roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has seen a return to profit

Accounts filed for the year to March 22, 2015, show sales grew from £25.9 million to £28.7 million, while a £1.9 million loss turned into a £364,000 profit.

A spokesman for the park said it had benefited from work done to improve Blackpool as an overall destination.

The park’s policy of adding new rides every year – including the Wallace & Gromit Thrill-O-Matic and the latest attraction, the Red Arrows Skyforce – had also helped.

The managing director of the park is Amanda Thompson, great-granddaughter of William Bean. Her brother Nick is deputy managing director.

They are shareholders of Blackpool Pleasure Beach along with their sister Fiona Gilje and mother Barbara Thompson.