Thompson Family Takes Over Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean, a man with an entrepreneurial spirit who initially aspired to make his mark in advertising on New York’s Madison Avenue. After an unsuccessful attempt to break into the advertising world, Bean returned to the UK in 1897, bringing with him a vision inspired by the bustling amusements he’d seen in the U.S. He set up two amusement ventures: one in Great Yarmouth near Euston Road, and the other in Blackpool, located near the tram terminus. While the Great Yarmouth park struggled to attract visitors, the Blackpool location flourished. By the end of the century, Bean committed fully to Blackpool, dedicating himself to creating a spectacular entertainment venue on the British coast.

For over three decades, Bean poured his energy and resources into growing Pleasure Beach, overseeing its expansion and adding new attractions that delighted the public. His legacy of investment continued until his death from pneumonia in 1929. At this point, his only daughter, Lillian-Doris, inherited the park. Lillian had married Leonard Thompson, an Oxford Natural Sciences graduate and businessman who was initially working in London. Following Bean’s death, Lillian and Leonard returned to Blackpool to decide on the future of Pleasure Beach. Leonard, who had not previously been involved with the park, agreed to take on the role of managing it. His first strategic move was appointing Oscar Haworth as General Manager and George Palmer as Chairman of the company.

With the help of the Outhwaites, early partners in the business, Leonard began his expansion plans by building the Ghost Train in 1930, one of the park’s first dark rides. The following year, the Outhwaite family sold their remaining shares, giving the Thompsons full control and ownership of the Pleasure Beach. In 1932, the construction of Watson Road beside the park required the closure of the Velvet Coaster, a popular ride at the time. Leonard’s focus on growth and innovation led to new landmark attractions, including the Fun House in 1934 and the Grand National coaster in 1935, a groundbreaking Möbius loop wooden roller coaster designed by Charles Paige, one of the era’s foremost coaster designers.

Under the Thompson family, the Pleasure Beach evolved from a seaside amusement park to a world-class entertainment venue, laying the foundation for the park’s future as a beloved destination. Leonard’s dedication to innovation and quality helped make Pleasure Beach a symbol of British leisure, setting standards for amusement parks across the country and beyond.

There are more Pleasure Beach related posts on the timeline: The Big One, The Pleasure Beach, Pleasure Beach Fire, The Original Coasters Restaurant, Nickelodeon Land at The Pleasure Beach and The Frightening World of 1950s Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

On top of the World, Geoffrey Thompson, the MD of Blackpool Pleasure Beach on the Big One ride, who will become the first ever British President of the International Association of Amusement Parks in the 77 years since the Association’s formation. Photo taken on 18 November 1995.