Oakwood bought by European leisure group

3:55pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

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Oakwood Theme Park has been snapped up for an undisclosed sum by European leisure park leaders the Aspro group.

News broke in December that the Canaston Bridge attraction, had attracted a mystery bidder. The theme park confirmed that an offer had been made and was being considered by management but refused to be drawn into speculation as to the identity of the bidder.

A statement issued on behalf of Oakwood Theme Park and the Aspro Group today confirmed the sale.

"I am delighted that Aspro has acquired the park, which is Wales's largest paid for visitor attraction," said former owner Paddy McNamara, "as they have an excellent track record of operating leisure parks across Europe."

The Aspro group currently operates 32 leisure parks in seven countries: 13 in Spain, one in Portugal, one in Switzerland, one in Belgium, nine in France, five in Finland.

With the acquisition of Oakwood the company now owns three parks in the U.K. the other two being the Deep Sea World Aquarium in Fife near Edinburgh and Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port, Chester.

The group described Oakwood as "a highly regarded amusement park with magnificent installations".

The tourist attraction celebrated its 20th birthday last year, after starting life as a dairy farm diversification in 1987.

Since then, it has expanded to employ 350 seasonal staff and 45 permanent workers, and has invested more than £21million in new rides.

Among them are the famous Megafobia, rated as one of the world's best wooden rollercoasters, and the £3m vertical drop rollercoaster Speed - the first of its kind in the UK.

Managing director and major shareholder, Paddy McNamara, bought out his older brother William, who is now chief executive of the £110m Bluestone complex, several years ago.

Oakwood will be open for the 2008 season from 20th March until 28th September.