Exciting News! Waterside Acquires Fantasy Island Fairground and Sunset Bar & Restaurant
19 / November / 2024
We’re pleased to announce the acquisition of Fantasy Island Fun Park and the Sunset Bar & Restaurant at Bowleaze Cove. This exciting new addition marks a significant expansion for Waterside, further enhancing the our offering and commitment to providing outstanding family entertainment and dining experiences. With this acquisition, we plan to breathe new life into the fun park and restaurant, blending the nostalgia of the fairground with modern updates to create unforgettable moments for every generation. Securing the valuable area east of the river on Bowleaze Cove beach also promises future growth potential, building on the success of our offerings in the Southside area near Bowleaze Cove.
Over the winter, we will be moving forward with our vision to integrate the Fantasy Island offering into our family-friendly portfolio. As part of this transformation, we’ll be unveiling a vibrant new look for the fairground, complete with a rebrand, updated logo and a refreshed website. We ensure to preserve the distinct charm that locals and visitors hold dear and we will continue to welcome both the local community and our holiday guests when we reopen for the 2025 season in March. The acquisition signals our ongoing commitment to the Dorset region and the continued development of the popular Southside area, integral to the appeal of Bowleaze Cove.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Fantasy Island and the Sunset Bar to the Waterside family,” said Dave Bennett, CEO of Waterside Holiday Group. “As a family business that has been rooted in this community for over six decades, it’s a fantastic opportunity to expand our offerings while preserving the unique charm of Fantasy Island. We’re committed to creating memorable experiences for families, and we look forward to breathing new life into the fairground and restaurant as we prepare for a grand reopening in March 2025.”
We’d like to extend sincere thanks to the Simmons family, who have owned and lovingly managed Fantasy Island for 40 years. Their dedication to this cherished local landmark has left an enduring legacy, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
With this new venture, we are committed to expanding the choice of entertainment and dining at Bowleaze Cove, benefiting both the local community and visitors alike. This is yet another step forward in the company’s growth strategy, which places a premium on investing in local facilities and supporting Dorset’s dynamic tourism industry.
Stay tuned – 2025 is set to be an unforgettable year at Bowleaze Cove.