‘Miserable’ funfair employee issues stark warning about the future of British family favourite pastime – as she admits ‘this is soul destroying’

A British funfair worker has issued a stark warning about the future of the traditional fairground – claiming the once-thriving family favourite is on the brink of collapse.

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 on the social media platform. 

The devastated business owner didn’t hold back in the clip that was filmed on a near-empty fairground.

The mother claimed the funfair industry is ‘dead’ and ‘running for nothing’ as she pointed out that is probably the start of the end for the industry. 

The clip, which racked up over 420,000 views, was captioned: ‘I understand that we may not be seeing anyone due to the cost of living crisis in the UK but so much hard work goes into running fair and when it’s like this, I just don’t know what we do it all for.’

Shelby said: ‘This is actually soul destroying, this is how it’s been here all day, it is dead, dead mate.

‘I don’t think people realise. I know people are moaning about the prices but I don’t think you realise how much days like this actually cost us.

‘We’re not earning any money today, we are literally running for nothing and that’s why everybody looks so miserable.

‘I just had enough, I seriously think that we are coming to the end of fairgrounds. I really really do.’

However, many rushed to the comments to say fairground ‘did it to themselves’ by hiking up prices of rides and food. 

One person said: ‘The problem is instead of marketing and offering deals. You got less and less customers and pushed prices up more and more. did it to yourselves.’

Another added: ‘£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.’

Someone else agreed: ‘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.’

A fourth added: ‘Cost of living is what’s killing it. Wages aren’t keeping up with inflation. People will conserve money and spend it more wisely on essentials.’

However, Shelby argued that their prices weren’t as expensive as some fairs, saying the average ride is about £3. 

She said: ‘Little few facts for everyone coming at me… rides here are mostly £3 except the oxygen which is the really large ride that is £5 a person. 

‘There are three other rides that are £4 but most are £3 the fairground is free entry, we don’t charge adults to ride with small babies on rides if they are unable to go alone we let them on (this may not be the case at ever fair but we do this at ours) – we can’t afford to do £1 fairs anymore. 

‘A pint in the local pub at Christchurch is £6.50 and a milkshake is £6 in the town centre – I agree people haven’t got the extra money but people are commenting things and saying things that are just not true.’

However, Shelby isn’t the only one feeling the pinch, Blackpool Pleasure Beach bosses have confirmed they are being forced to close some rides this year and cut staff numbers after posting a £2.7million pre-tax loss.

It comes after the site revealed that five smaller rides – the Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce – would all be shut during the 2025 season, which began in February half-term.

The historic attraction, which has operated on the Lancashire seafront since 1896, said it had been struggling with visitor numbers not recovering after the pandemic.

Other rides will open later and close earlier this year as the venue attempts to reduce costs and warned the cost-of-living crisis was ‘depressing non-essential spend’.

The park is also bracing for staffing costs to soar next month due to the increase in national insurance contributions (NICs) for employers and the minimum wage rise.

It has also recently unveiled ambitious plans for a new £8.7million spinning pendulum ride, dubbed ‘Project MMXXVI’, which will reach 138ft when it opens next year.

New accounts filed for the latest financial year – the 12 months to March 24, 2024 – showed the park had a turnover of £32.1million, up from £31.8million the year before.

But the Companies House return last Friday also revealed it made a pre-tax loss of £2.7million, which worsened significantly from a £520,000 loss the previous year.

Director Jonathan Gray, writing on behalf of the board, said: ‘Trading in the current year has been extremely difficult due to many external factors beyond our control.

‘The cost-of-living crisis is ongoing. We do not foresee any short-term change. We continue to review our operation with a view to making the business more efficient and sustainable.

A spokeswoman from Pleasure Beach Resort told MailOnline: ‘It has been a challenging few years of trading across the entire industry, and we have undertaken the necessary actions to continue to offer the same amazing experiences to our guests.

‘We have already undertaken a strategic review and implemented changes; this has now concluded. The changes referenced in the accounts have all been actioned and completed, furthermore there are currently no plans to close any further rides.

‘We are confident there is lots to look forward to at Pleasure Beach Resort for the immediate and long-term future, beginning with the opening of Launch Pad this spring, and our announcement of an £8.72million Gyro Swing, opening in 2026.’

The park also pointed out that its overall opening hours in 2025 are actually greater than in 2024 – because it will be open 220 days in 2025 but it was only 213 last year. This equates to 1572.5 operational hours this year, compared to 1504.5 in 2024.

It comes as beloved theme parks are vanishing from Britain as increased costs, dwindling visitor numbers and Labour’s Budget bear the brunt of the blame.