20/09/2024
๐ญ The Lough Family supported us for the 15 years we were based at Carnfunnock. Hopefully we'll all be back when the park opens again, but what a blow to local tourism.
Dear loyal customers
It is with deep regret that we are writing this post. On Thursday 19th September, both myself, Christopher Lough and my dad, Ian Lough, owners of Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone, were called into a meeting by Mid & East Antrim council. At the start of the meeting, we were handed a letter from them stating that our lease has been terminated and that we have 6 months to vacate the premises. This came as a massive shock and hit us very hard.
Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone has been in our family for the last 22 years and has meant we have met many wonderful people over the years. We have invested nearly half a million pounds of our own money and received nothing from the council in return.
The council offered us alternative locations but you cannot simply pick up an 18 hole mini golf or miniature railway and put it somewhere else.
As many of you may know, the council are planning to do construction work in a different part of the park but felt that it would be too much of a health and safety risk to allow us to open. We appreciate and readily accept that this decision has been made, but to tell us to vacate the park all together is ridiculous.
The current time scale for the work is 18 months but yet to start with planning still not approved as I write this. They are hoping to have it finished by June 2026 but we do not see this being achieved with set back upon set back.
If the day comes that we are allowed to operate Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone back in the park we hope to welcome you back but currently there is no certainty that we will be welcomed back from the council.
We are still able to operate this weekend and next weekend so will be open from 12pm to 4pm, weather permitting.
Thank you to our loyal customers, merchandise dealers, family and friends for your support over the 22 years.
Thank you
Ian and Christopher Lough