Abandoned Spanish themepark ‘loved by Brits’ could finally re-open after 3 years

An abandoned Spanish theme park popular with British holidaymakers could be set to re-open three years after unceremoniously shutting its doors . . . while keeping staff in bizarre contract prison.

For nearly 50 years, sun-hungry Brits flocked to Benalmadena in the Costa Del Sol with the hopes of spending some time at the historic Tivoli World theme park. But the site was closed in 2020, becoming one of the most high-profile casualties of the economy-destroying pandemic.

It briefly reopened for two months, but closed again last year when its owners went bankrupt. A battle over the site's future ended up in court, after it emerged that a bizarre legal loophole meant the staff were unable to seek employment without being paid by their current job, and were forced to attend the site every day to keep it in decent condition.

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This sparked daily protests by the staff, and reports that they were keeping the site in pristine condition in anticipation of it reopening once more. And after the Daily Star visited the site earlier this year to shed some light on the realities of life inside the derelict theme park, hopes of new investment from a foreign fund appears to be on the horizon.

According to Spanish news site SUR, the Deputy Mayor of Benalmadema, Presi Aguilera has claimed that a foreign investment fund is “very interested” in buying the park and re-opening it, with talks ongoing between the town council, the mystery fund and current owners Grupo Tremón.

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Aguilera said: “There is a foreign investor who is very interested. That is why the Benalmadena council has got in touch with the owner, the Tremon real estate group, acting as a liaison between the two to see what we can do to facilitate the opening of the park. We have held many meetings to discover first-hand what the real problem is with regards to Tivoli. None of us want it to be used for anything other than an amusement park. This space must be non-residential, but it could have a hotel or be used for commercial activity, but it must be linked to the opening of the amusement park.”

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When the Daily Star visited earlier this year, the iconic front entrance of the park had already been reclaimed by nature, as masses of ivy could be seen growing over the sides, while the interior had clearly been abandoned by the much-talked-about staff.

The rides had seemingly been left to the elements, with parts of the go-kart ride seen falling down. A giant boat, which used to be surrounded by a very deep water-filled pool, was rotting away after the water was removed, with banners and signs in the park seen falling apart, while the exteriors of the once-loved buildings at the falling into serious states of disrepair.

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The popular Twister ride had been stripped of everything that makes it a ride, while the roller-coaster was just a shell of its former self. Sadly, the roof of the carousel, which was once a highlight for young visitors, had completely collapsed, while the London-eye style ride was covered in so much bird faeces that it would need an army to clean it up.

The site was given a Grade II listing by the local council in April.

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