ONE of Felixstowe’s best-known landmarks is getting a new image – and a bright future with a nod to its past.
Known by some at the resort as the “big, pink fun palace”, Manning’s Amusement Park is getting a lick of paint and changing its colour theme.
It has stood on the seafront for seven decades and is a famous structure with its twin towers, fountain, arcade and kiosks. Charlie and Jonathan Manning are hoping the facelift will smarten up the building and capture its art deco style.
With seaside funfairs struggling to compete with inland theme parks and their mega-rides, they are hoping its future can be to provide a bit of nostalgia for the days when a day trip to the coast was very different, as well as providing new family attractions.
Jonathan said: “We are doing the main building an off-white, light yellow with a few accents of colour, including an aquamarine or turquoise, to bring out some of the art deco features.
“We wanted a more traditional, lighter look and have studied some old photos to try to get a feel for what might look good.”
It is hoped the work will be completed in a couple of weeks as long as the weather holds. A sudden torrential downpour washed the paint straight off one area of wall.
The Mannings are investing in the future and have already opened a new arena building in the centre of the park in Sea Road to hold a number of different events and activities. Next summer they plan to bring in a pirate-themed adventure walk-through maze.
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