A LEGEND in the showman tourism industry has confirmed Barry Island Pleasure Park will once again experience the thrills and spills of the fair.

Fairground operator Henry Danter visited Barry Island Pleasure Park on Tuesday, December 8 and following a series of meetings will today (December 10) seal the deal that will help revive Barry Island Pleasure Park’s fortunes - aiming to resurrect its glory days.

The 70-year-old fairground favourite, with three generations of family experience, said he passionately believed he could transform part of the currently unused 4.5 acre site and wow visitors from Barry and beyond.

Mr Danter, who operates the Treasure Island fairground in Stourport-on-Severn, attracting thousands of visitors with its thrill rides, said he wanted to bring at least 20 big rides to the Island, worth up to £20m, to delight crowds in search of all-weather, indoor and outdoor entertainment, throughout the year.

He promised modern 21st century rides alongside more traditional fairground attractions – including a waltzer, dodgems and children’s rides – following around two years of interest and talks.

He said the business needed to profit, but his heart was foremost in the project for the love of the job. However, the iconic Log Flume was no longer in any working condition and would be consigned to Barry’s Island seaside resort’s history.

Mr Danter said: “We have got a big challenge in front of us. I have now got to get the family behind me. I think we can get something special out of it. I can’t wait to get started on it.”

Mr Danter said he had family heritage in Brynmawr and they loved Wales. He had previously tried to buy the site from the Collins family, but the deal was eventually clinched by Ken Rogers, father of current co-owner Ian.

He said: “We know Barry very well and love Barry. Somebody’s got to turn the site around and give it some love.

“People don’t think we can do it, they know we can do it and we want to do it and do it well.”

Mr Danter said he was keen to be on site, in January or February next year, with facilities opening in spring – ahead of any residential proposal consideration.

Pride In Barry chairman and former Barry Island businessman, Paul Haley said: “I am so delighted that Henry Danter is interested in coming to Barry Island. This is a highly respected and experienced showman who can make a difference and help build on the Barry Island brand. He nearly came here in the mid 90s so it is great that he believes in Barry Island enough to take another look and wish to invest. Barry Island has always been a major creation point of entrepreneurship with many starting their first business or getting their first job at Barry Island. We need to get back to this.”

Dennis Harkus, of FocusBARRY, said the scheme was another chance to bring back life to the Island funfair.

He said: “How to bring all the pieces together will be a significant challenge. Anybody who vows to take on the fairground in its current state and return it to its former glory without having to build a housing estate, gets the thumbs up from me.

“Many of us have a nostalgic ownership of this iconic place but we should not lose sight of the fact that it is privately owned. The Eastern shelter scheme looks really good but there are still parts of the Barry Island package that need to be addressed if we are to see private investment.

“We need decision takers to keep the bigger picture in mind when they sit down to talk with potential developers. Nell’s Point, the promenade rides, and tourist accommodation could well have an impact on people’s judgement.”

The Barry Island Property Company (BIPC), co-owned by Hilco and Barry Island businessman Ian Rogers submitted proposals for a residential with parking development on the site of the existing Dolphin bar in November, with leisure, a separate part of the Pleasure Park scheme.

BIPC representative Aidan Lynch said it had been difficult to find suitable buyers for the site with cinema operators and bowling alley companies saying they needed an all year round facility with a high footfall.

Vale Council cabinet member for regeneration, transportation and planning, Cllr Lis Burnett, after addressing a FocusBARRY meeting on Friday, December 5, said she was supportive of the site being developed for leisure and tourism.

She said: “I feel that the only valid reason for the inclusion of residential development within a site designated for leisure/tourism is if it can be argued on ‘enabling’ grounds to facilitate the development.”

Vale Council director of development services, Rob Thomas, said discussions were continuing with the applicant, as well as with the potential funfair operator, and the council “remained committed to bringing forward a viable and comprehensive solution to this run down site.”

Baruc ward councillors Steffan Wiliam and Nic Hodges said a piecemeal approach would not work and risked damaging the economic future of the town.

Cllr Hodges said: “We are committed to the regeneration of the resort. Great care has to be taken to ensure that there is a clear coherent plan for all of the land in question. There is a great deal of public interest in this development. Residents expect it to be fully thought out.

“The Vale Council does not own this site so much is dependent on the private businesses involved. We need to exercise detailed planning control.”