Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone operators Ian Lough with son Christopher.
The owners of Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone shared of their “massive shock” after being told by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council that their contract has been terminated.
Ian Lough and son Christopher have run their fun and amusement zone at Carnfunnock a country Park near Larne on the East Antrim coast for the last 22 years and said the news presented to them at a meeting with the local authority on Thursday (19 September) has “hit us very hard”.
On a social media announcement, Christopher shared the following update to their “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.”
The move by the local council came as work begins on a £6.1m refurbishment of Carnfunnock Country Park. The project includes the demolition of the existing visitors’ centre/ amenity block and play park to be replaced with a new adventure play park with inclusive equipment, visitors’ centre with a café and restaurant, multi-function spaces, a park shop, and public toilets.
Plans also include a new BMX pump track and bike jump trail in a site beyond the main car parks.
Responding to the announcement by the operators of the Family Fun Zone, a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said on Friday afternoon (20th September):
“Major construction works to dramatically redevelop Carnfunnock Country Park is planned to commence January 2025 and be completed by Summer 2026.
“The successful contractor will be responsible for the security of the construction site throughout the programme of works, however as Council has a legal obligation to consider all aspects of health and safety in and around the site, it was decided that the site should not remain open during the planned redevelopment.
“Pedestrian access will be available through appropriate areas of the park by way of an isolated path. The path has been purposefully redirected through a field to ensure walkers are safely away from the construction site.
“Council is available to liaise with the affected party to discuss further.”
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