A man from the FOURTH generation of a local family to work at Southport Pleasureland can’t wait to welcome visitors back when the popular North West attraction reopens later this month.
Martin Rimmer, from Southport, says he “absolutely loves” working at Southport Pleasureland – a place where his dad (Ray), grandad (Thomas) and great grandad (Thomas) also worked.
The 21-year-old Rides Supervisor is now looking forward to starting his fifth year at the park when it welcomes people back from Saturday, 26th March for the 2022 season.
Southport Pleasureland is one of the region’s biggest employers with around 150 people working there at any one time.
The attraction is currently advertising for new staff, with a wide range of roles available; suitable for those looking for a few hours a week to tie in with college studies or family life, to full-time hours or those seeking ambitious career moves.
Anyone interested can email: info@southportpleasureland.com or visit the Southport Pleasureland website: www.southportpleasureland.com
Martin Rimmer – and his family – can’t recommend it highly enough. His Mum and dad even met there!
It is the perfect workplace for Martin as it allows him to earn money part-time while completing his course in Film and Television Studies at Liverpool Media Academy.
He has recently produced a short film about the experiences of his family and friends working at the park.
He said: “I was 17 when I first started working at Southport Pleasureland. This is my fifth year now! I absolutely love working here.
“I first started after my Dad spotted an advert for an Open Day here on Facebook. He said ‘you should go and check it out’.
“I then got a call saying there was a position available as a ride operator, and I began working during weekends, and then more regularly during the school holidays. Now I am a Rides Supervisor.
“It is perfect for keeping up with my film studies while also earning money by working here.
“I can tailor my hours here around university. I might be at uni in the morning, and working here in the afternoon.
“I love working here, and studying for my degree at the same time.
“There are so many jobs that people can do here: front of house, ride operators, maintenance, admin, managers, supervisors, caterers, chefs, mechanics, electricians, gardeners, so many people keep this place going.
“I love the people I work with here. There is a great camaraderie. Some of my best friends I have met through working here.
“I am getting paid to work with my friends. It is a really nice set of people who I work with. I love the way we all stay connected.”
Many thousands of families have been similarly welcomed to the attraction by Martin’s father, Ray Rimmer.
Martin said: “Dad worked here for nearly 30 years. He started here in 1978 when he was 23 years old, and worked here until 2006, when the owners at the time suddenly closed it. Norman Wallis then came in and reopened it a year later.
“Dad worked as a ride operator, rides supervisor, then housekeeping manager, then deputy manager.
“He told me that my grandad, Thomas, had also worked here, and my great grandad too.
“Our family has always been drawn to work at Southport Pleasureland!”
Martin has enjoyed seeing all the changes during the previous five years, and is looking forward to even more exciting new additions this year.
They include the new 35 metre tall observation wheel, which will offer visitors breath-taking views across the coast; and a new Viking themed adventure golf attraction and longhouse eatery.
He said: “There are things that people can enjoy here throughout the year now. Mums and dads, nans and grandads, can come with the kids, play adventure golf, take them on the helter skelter, enjoy all the rides, admire the views from the adventure wheel, and enjoy a meal together.
“Since I started here, each year we have grown. Throughout the season, new rides open regularly, which is awesome!
“The marketing phrase for Southport is ‘different every time’ and that is definitely the case for Southport Pleasurerland too. From the start of last season, there have been eight new rides added.
“The observation wheel, which is opening soon, is brilliant. I am looking forward to trying out the new Viking adventure golf too. There is nothing else in Southport that is anything like it.
“Southport Pleasureland will be keeping happiness going for people throughout the year.
“I just think 2022 is going to be great.”
Southport Pleasureland CEO Norman Wallis said: “There is a complete mix of full time roles, part time roles, shifts; people can be flexible with the hours they work.
“There is a real family atmosphere for people working at Southport Pleasureland, it is a lovely place to work.
“We are expanding, and we have some very exciting plans for the future. We want to give more jobs to more local people. We are growing, and we need more people to join us.”
Southport Pleasureland opens for the 2022 season on Saturday, 26th March, ahead of the Easter Holidays.
- Are you interested in a job at Southport Pleasureland? Please email: info@southportpleasureland.com or visit the Southport Pleasureland website: www.southportpleasureland.com
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
