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'Miserable' funfair employee issues stark warning about the industry
Shelby, known as @tripp.mum on TikTok , who owns and runs a funfair ride and travels the UK with a fairground, noted the industry's decline in a post…
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UK Funfairs Face Extinction Amid Cost of Living Crisis, Operator Says Business is 'Dying'
Christchurch, UK – Funfair operators across the United Kingdom are grappling with unprecedented challenges, as rising costs and a struggling economy deter visitors. A recent video shared by a local funfair operator, Shelby from 'Showman Life & More', vividly illustrates the grim reality facing the industry. The video, captured at an almost deserted funfair in Christchurch, shows empty rides and stalls, a stark contrast to the bustling scenes typically associated with such events. Shelby, who operates the fair, voiced profound frustration, stating, "This is actually soul destroying. This is how it's been here all day. It is dead, dead mate." She emphasized the immense hard work and financial outlay required to run the fair, lamenting that they are "literally running for nothing" and not earning any money. The sentiment is echoed by the public, with numerous comments on the video highlighting the prohibitive cost of funfair attractions. One user wrote, "£7 a ride, £12 for a burger, £3 a bottle of water, so on and so on. There’s no point, it’s too expensive." Another commented, "Prices. Prices killed fun fairs, £5 for a two mins ride. Parents aren’t interested in taking kids anymore because they need to sell a kidney to have a day out." While acknowledging the operators' expenses, many suggest that lower prices might attract more customers. Shelby acknowledged the public's concerns about pricing, clarifying that most rides at their fair are £3, with some larger rides up to £5. She also noted that entry is free and they do not charge adults accompanying small children on rides. "We can’t afford to do £1 fairs anymore," she explained, drawing comparisons to other local prices like a £6.50 pint. The struggle highlights a broader economic squeeze affecting both businesses and consumers, as traditional entertainment venues fight to survive in a challenging financial landscape.
