One of the north-east’s best-known visitor attractions has been forced to close its doors again amidst fears the decision risks the future of the business.
It was only on July 15 that Codona’s at Aberdeen beach welcomed back loyal customers after months in lockdown, having sought confirmation from the government and prepared an array of new safety procedures.
And so the family were stunned to be told this week the attraction was deemed a “travelling funfair” and must close all funfair-type rides immediately.
The Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge, meanwhile, has been able to announce it plans to increase capacity.
It has been selling-out the restricted number of tickets currently available since reopening – at about 20% of normal capacity – though not all activities and rides are available.
Jack Codona said: “Our family has operated our facility for 50 years.
“We have invested heavily in new attractions every year and feel most Aberdonians will visit our site over the course of their lives.
“This could be for ten pin bowling , adventure golf, arcade machines, Smugglers Cove children’s play, birthday parties or a works night out.
“Unfortunately these facilities are not available at the moment but will hopefully open soon.”
Alfred Codona said he’d been dismayed by the decision, especially as parks, restaurants, bars and shops have been allowed to open yet the family’s attraction, which has all the appropriate Covid-19 policies and procedures in place, has been instructed to close.
He added: “We have requested the Scottish Government review this decision immediately or risk the future of a business that has been the mainstay of Aberdeen Beach for 50 years, and up to 180 people losing their jobs, leaving a ‘gaping hole in the community’.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “All funfairs are to remain closed at present in line with Scottish Government regulations.
“Aberdeen City Council remains committed to working with all businesses in Aberdeen to ensure that they can safely re-open when government guidance allows.”
But the family insist their facility “is not a funfair” but a visitor attraction as they have an extensive range of activities, food and beverages on offer.
The Codona’s team is currently working on financial projections to asses the impact the closure will have on the business.
So far, they have made no redundancies, with all staff being supported during lockdown.
North-east MSP Liam Kerr said the business had been put at risk.
“The dithering and delay has got to stop because it is threatening jobs across the north-east,” he said.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We don’t want any business to remain closed, or open with restrictions in place, for a day longer than is necessary but public health is paramount.
“We will move to reopen Scotland’s funfairs, as soon as it is safe to do so.
“As we continue to ease lockdown measures and we see the tourism sector resume, it is imperative that the changes we make continue to suppress the virus.
“Throughout the process, we have made clear that not all changes in each phase will be implemented at once.
“Our priority is to keep people safe and we have issued updated guidance to reflect concerns around funfairs.”
