**Hope on the Horizon for Oakwood Theme Park as Local Resident Fronts Revival Plan**
Oakwood Theme Park, long seen as a landmark in the Welsh leisure landscape, could be given a new lease of life following its sudden closure earlier this year. The abrupt announcement in March that the storied attraction was shutting its gates after four decades left many across Wales feeling a keen sense of loss, as Oakwood wasn’t simply another amusement park— for generations, it had firmly established itself as a rite of passage for families and young thrill-seekers alike.
Owned by Spanish leisure giant Aspro Parks, Oakwood had gradually faced mounting pressures from declining visitor numbers and financial challenges. The company, which operates dozens of other attractions around Europe, eventually determined that closure was the only sensible step forward. This decision, however, has not gone unchallenged. In the months since the gates swung shut, a determined campaign has emerged from within the local community to restore the much-loved destination to its former glory.
Central to efforts to breathe new life into Oakwood is a local resident who, motivated by fond personal memories and a deep sense of local pride, has spearheaded a new organisation aimed at reviving the park. Although the individual involved has chosen to remain unnamed at this stage, they have founded Richens Leisure Projects (RLP) — a group which claims to have drawn up detailed and sustainable plans to reopen Oakwood, promising not just nostalgia but a genuine long-term vision for employment and community benefit.
Recalling his own upbringing in west Wales, the RLP founder spoke emotionally of the park’s enduring influence on generations of Welsh children: “I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop,” he reflected. “Oakwood wasn’t just a theme park — it was a part of growing up for so many of us. It lingered in the memory, defined summers, and brought people together.”
But beyond recollections of summers past, RLP’s plans are firmly rooted in what it describes as “phased capital reinvestment” which would see significant upgrades to the site’s infrastructure. The proposal is ambitious, with an aim to produce more than 100 new seasonal jobs for the local Pembrokeshire community and to reposition Oakwood as a national destination for leisure and tourism once again.
“This isn’t about simply recapturing the past,” a spokesperson for RLP explained. “We’re attempting to build something stronger, anchored in community ownership and a sustainable future. Oakwood still means something, not just as a place for fun, but as a symbol of pride and belonging.”
Negotiations, however, remain at a delicate stage. RLP has confirmed that its proposal has been formally submitted to Aspro Parks, though no response has yet been received from the current owners. The group emphasises that it wishes to work collaboratively and respectfully, rather than create friction or negative publicity: “We’ve approached this with the seriousness it deserves. Oakwood needs a respectful, well-crafted solution—not a rushed fix or superficial rebrand.”
Public interest in Oakwood’s future has remained high since the news broke. Within days of closure, passionate supporters launched petitions hoping to prompt a rethink, underscoring the park’s enduring significance in the Welsh public imagination. However, some local voices have acknowledged that Oakwood’s peak may have been long gone, pointing to years of gradual decline and questioning whether it could ever recapture its original magic.
For now, RLP is keeping specific financial details and investor information confidential while negotiations remain unresolved. Yet, organisers are confident that their pathway is robust and actionable. “This isn’t just an idea; it’s a plan we’re ready to put into motion as soon as a dialogue opens up,” the founder stated.
While Oakwood’s fate remains uncertain, the volume and passion of efforts to see it revived reflect a broader commitment to preserving beloved Welsh institutions for future generations. Those behind RLP insist their motivation is above all about community: providing today’s youngsters with the same opportunities to make memories that linger through adulthood.
As the waiting continues for a formal response from Aspro Parks, supporters remain hopeful that Oakwood might once again welcome families, friends and thrill-seekers in the years to come—restored, renewed, and firmly embedded in the fabric of Welsh life.