‘I bought the theme park I loved growing up’

Turning Childhood Memories into Reality

James Mellors, a director at the Mellors Group, has turned a cherished childhood memory into a tangible dream. When Lightwater Valley theme park became available for purchase last year, he seized the opportunity, driven by a deep personal connection to the site. “My aunt and uncle in Dinnington used to take us there for family outings,” he recalls. “We’ve spent countless years there, so it’s fulfilling to finally say it’s ours and plan what we can achieve with it.” The North Yorkshire park, established near Ripon in 1969, once featured the Ultimate rollercoaster, which held the record for the world’s longest ride from 1991 to 2000. After the Ultimate was dismantled in 2023, Lightwater Valley rebranded its focus to younger visitors, a shift Mellors acknowledges as significant. “It’s transformed a lot, and I feel it hasn’t received the investment it deserved,” he says. “The Ultimate and the Rat, a unique subterranean coaster built in 1987, were groundbreaking attractions. But the previous owners moved toward a younger demographic, which is a different challenge altogether.”

A Vision Beyond the Budget

Mellors acquired another theme park, Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells, in 2016, but has always dreamed of expanding his portfolio to include Lightwater Valley. “Picture it as a smaller-scale Disneyland,” he jokes. “Our goal is to create something special, though we don’t have Disney’s massive budget or the same character partnerships.” Despite financial hurdles, he remains optimistic about the park’s potential. “We have so many creative ideas to maximize the space and enhance the visitor experience,” he explains. The recent introduction of the Spinning Racer rollercoaster marks the start of a “new era” for the park. “We needed to make changes quickly to prepare for the season, so the coaster was a natural step,” Mellors notes.

Challenges in the Modern Era

While the park’s transformation brings new opportunities, Mellors highlights the difficulties of managing such a venture. “Operating a large site means dealing with high land rents and significant maintenance costs,” he says. “Rollercoasters require massive energy and labor, with many hidden expenses that aren’t obvious to the public.” He emphasizes that entrance fees must cover all these costs, making it crucial to balance affordability with quality. “Even though families are spending less on outings, the experience here is hard to replicate online,” he adds. “We believe people still value the joy of visiting a theme park with their loved ones.”

A Commitment to the Craft

Despite the financial pressures, Mellors finds fulfillment in running the park. “As long as you enjoy the work, it never feels like a grind,” he says. “The challenge is real, but so is the reward.” With rising fuel prices affecting visitor numbers, he remains hopeful about summer turnout. “It’s a tough market, but we’re confident in the park’s appeal,” he concludes. “If families want an immersive, hands-on adventure, Lightwater Valley will always be a destination worth visiting.”

“I’d love to bring back the Ultimate standard, but it’s a big ask with today’s steel costs,” Mellors says. “It might not happen soon, but I won’t say it’s impossible.”

For middle-income families cutting back on discretionary spending, Mellors hopes the park’s renewed focus will attract visitors. “The key is offering something that’s both fun and accessible,” he reflects. “We’re not trying to compete with Disney, but we want to create our own version of that magic.”