Happy 40th birthday to Silcock’s Funland in Southport!
Southport’s largest family amusement centre, which stands proudly at the entrance to Southport Pier, has been putting smiles on the faces of generations of families since it first opened its doors on 12th September 1983.
Local people have been sharing their memories of one of the North West’s most popular attractions – along with the venues that preceded it, including The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixies Showbar.
Silcock’s Funland was officially opened by former Southport MP Lord Ronnie Fearn, alongside Herbert Silcock Sr and Jane Silcock, in September 1983. .
On the other side of the entrance to Southport Pier is the Silccok’s Pier Family Restaurant, where you can enjoy views across Kings Gardens and the Marine Lake while enjoying some of the finest fish and chips in the North West.
But can you remember what these venues used to be?
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. Southport MP Ronnie Fearn (centre) and Herbert Silcock Sr (right) with Jane Silcock (left) at the opening of Silcock’s Funland in Southport
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
They have since been joined by Silcock’s Carousel. In September the Victorian era Golden Gallopers attraction, built in 1899, was voted as the fourth best seaside attraction in Britain in The Seaside Heritage Network’s Bucket and Spade List 2023.
Silcock Leisure Group Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “We are very proud to be celebrating Funland’s 40th birthday this year!
“It has played such a big part in bringing entertainment to families from Southport and beyond for so long.
“Before it was Funland, it was Follies, The Golden Goose arcade, and Dixies Showbar.
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. A photo from 1983
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“I believe Follies was the biggest nightclub in the North West in its day.
“We have heard lots of stories of couples locally who met in Follies and later got married and had families!
“We have lots of members of staff as well who have been with us over many years, including our Manager, Justin Prescott.
“We have a lot of loyal repeat customers too, who have been coming here for many years. Some of them have been here as children and are now bringing their families here, including their children, or their grandchildren!
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. A photo from 1986
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“It holds very happy memories for lots of people.
“Everyone knows this place. It is just so iconic. It is all about the fun of the seaside.
“Lots of colleagues have worked here over the years too. Many people don’t realise that Silcock’s is one of the biggest employers in the North West.
“We have our core staff and we also have our seasonal staff, which is perfect for students and others who are looking for work to fit in with their lives.
“There are so many people who have happy memories of either working or spending time in Funland.
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. Southport MP Ronnie Fearn (left) and Herbert Silcock Sr (right) at the opening of Silcock’s Funland in Southport
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“We used to host loads of kids’ parties here.
“Funland has constantly evolved to meet customers’ needs, while still maintaining our values of providing great entertainment for great value.
“We have some exciting plans for the future, including a revamp over the winter.
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. An advert for Dixieland Showbar
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
“We are constantly re-investing in the town.
“We are proud of the quality of the prizes we have in our Prize Shop. Our games start at just 2p, as they have been for years, while you can buy food from just £1 in our cafe. We have kept rides on our Carousel reasonably priced too. During this cost of living crisis, we want to keep our prices as low as possible.
“We are always proud to support local community events, including sponsoring and hosting the recent Southport Santa Sprint for Queenscourt Hospice for the 14th year in a row,
“There is a real family feel to working here. I just love the atmosphere when you come into work.”
Creating a grand entrance to Southport Pier is Silcock’s Funland, an all weather centre that is open every day all year round whatever the weather, except Christmas Day.
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. Follies in November 1979
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
Funland offers more fun for all the family with children’s games, rides and Southport’s best Ticket Game Zone where the games are Fun to Play and Easy to Win.
Inside Funland you will find the £1 Snack Bar offering food, plus hot and cold drinks from just £1.
Lots of local people have been sharing their memories of Funland, The Golden Goose, Dixieland Showbar, Follies nightclub, Golden Fry and more.
Over 11,2000 saw our post in our Stand Up For Southport Facebook group appealing for memories, with over 100 replies and over 200 likes.
Jeff Ingram said: “Them were the days!”
Joan Cowlishaw said: “Fabulous times at the Dixieland and Tiffany’s.”
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. Follies in November 1979
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
Jeanette Stonehouse said: “Dixieland. Loved Thursday night rock nights.”
Paul Sutton said: “Your Thursday rock nights were awesome. How many remember Maximes? Pie and chips, always Stairway to finish.”
Denis Kerr said: “Follies rock night on a Thursday. Rush to get as much cheap and nasty beer in as possible during happy hour then drink it over the next few hours as it got flatter and warmer by the minute. If you got in early enough you might catch Darryl Jay playing the majority of a Zappa album. Little chippy on the way home.”
Karen Deegan said: “Loved the Dixieland on a Monday night. I met my husband there and we’re still together!”
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. The Golden Goose.
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
Fiona Kirkham said: “Sandbaggers Thursday, Follies Friday, Floral Saturday and Sandbaggers again Sunday (except I had to leave early as I had school the next day)!
The Academy, Raffles, Marine Club, The Queens so many more and either the Little Chippy or the Garden of Death afterwards.”
Allison Roberts said: “Dixieland every Monday and weekend… loved it.. so many fab memories.. when I was still in Secondary would go to The Zoobdo (can’t remember how it was spelt) it was downstairs under the cafe / chippy by Pier… think you went in round the back. Tiffany’s in Ainsdale on a Sunday night…”
Melanie Grice said: “I did a dance competition, probably in about 1983 when it was Follies. I was about eight years old and I won a big blue teddy bear.”
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar.
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
Jenny Louise said: “I have happy memories of Follies – doing the Boat Dance to Oops Upside Your Head dancing to ‘Feels Like I’m In love’ by Kelly Marie, and dates with my then boyfriend Craig.”
Chris Blundell said: “Started going to Dixieland every Monday after leaving school in 1973! Then sometimes on a Saturday. Had some good nights there.”
Mike Cromwell said: “Worked in Follies in 1983 as a glass collector, first job,real eye opener.”
Silcock’s Funland in Southport has been entertaining customers since 1983. Previous uses of the building before then included The Golden Goose, Follies and Dixieland Showbar. Silcock’s Funland in Southport
Photo by Silcock Leisure Group
Karen Meadow said: “Met my husband to be at The Dixieland in 1973, married in 1983, just celebrated our 40th.”
Janet Harrison said: “Don’t forget The Academy, Royales, Mad Hatters, The West End, The Dandy and over in Ainsdale The Lido, Toad Hall and Tiffany’s. Plus The Kardomah for a cup of tea.”
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