The New Metroland

The New Metroland was Europe's largest indoor theme park until its closure on 20th April 2008. It was part of the MetroCentre shopping and leisure complex in Gateshead, North East England, Located in the upper yellow mall. The highlight of the attraction was a miniature roller coaster, and a train ride which travelled aroung the indoor park, complete with pedestrian level crossings. The park was eventually closed despite strong local opposition, to allow expansion of the Odeon cinema, which already had a cinema in the centre located in the Blue Mall.

History

Originally named Metroland, it opened in February 1988 at a cost of £20 million. It was renamed The New Metroland following a revamp by operators Arlington Leisure in 1996. On the final weekend of opperation (19th & 20th April 2008) the park held the 'Last Ride weekend' where the admission price was £5 for the whole day with unlimited access to all the rides.

Attractions

The rides at The New Metroland were:

*The New Rollercoaster, a Zierer custom layout family coaster.
*Disco Dodgems, dodgems with lighting and smoke effects.
*Swashbuckling Ship, a swinging ship with a cliff, waterfall and lake as its theme.
*Whirling Waltzer, waltzer which has lighting and smoke effects.
*Wonderful Wave-Swinger, a wave swinger.
*Beautiful Balloons, big wheel which has hot-air balloons as the cars.
*Fab Fighters, a controllable plane ride.
*Happy Helicopters, a merry go round which tilted and had helicopter themed cars.
*Terrific Train, a train that tours the park.
*Jungle Jeeps, a train ride with jeep themed cars.
*Adventure Play Area, a big 6 story play area with a drop slide.
*Super Safari, a merry go round with themes cars.

Operation

The park was entirely enclosed within the Metrocentre shopping centre, and was accessed from the yellow shopping mall. Guests were able to enter the park free of charge, pay per ride was required unless guests purchased a golden pass which allowed guests to ride all day for a small charge.

Closure

On the 30 November 2006, the MetroCentre's owners, Capital Shopping Centres, announced plans to close Metroland as part of the centre's on-going refurbishment programme cite press release
title = Public Consulation for Yellow and Blue Mall Proposals
publisher = Capital Shopping Centres
date = 2006-11-29
url = http://www.capital-shopping-centres.co.uk/shoppingcentres/metrocentre/pdf/press_releases/yellow_and_blue.pdf
accessdate = 2006-11-30] . The park eventually closed at 8:00pm on Sunday 20th April, despite strong local opposition and petitions raising around 4,000 signatures against the closure. Proceeds from the last night of operation went to charity. The closure meant the loss of 120 jobs [ [http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/04/21/children-enjoy-last-fling-at-metroland-72703-20794770/ Evening Chronicle] , Children enjoy last fling at Metroland, 21 April 2008]

Capital Shopping Centres has proposed that the Odeon Cinema currently in the Blue Mall be re-located to the site currently occupied by Metroland concentrating the centre's leisure facilities in the Yellow Mall.

References

External links

* [http://www.metroland.uk.com/1.html The New Metroland] Official website