Everything you need to know as South Shields' Ocean Beach Pleasure Park reopens rides on Saturday, July 4

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park on Sea Road, South Shields has been closed to the public since the UK went into lockdown in March.

It will welcome back its first customers on Saturday, when lockdown restrictions are eased across the country.

Strict social distancing measures have been introduced in line with government guidelines, with a number of new procedures in place to keep staff and customers safe.

How will the rides work?

A new contactless Fun Card will replace the former ticket and token system, which can be bought in advance online.

Every ride uses a certain number of ‘credits’ per person, per ride, with the number of credits required clearly signposted at each attraction.

Credits costs £1 each – so if a ride costs 1.5 credits it is £1.50 and so on.

Customers can buy as many Fun Cards or credits as they like and the cards can be topped up at any of the self-service kiosks in the park or arcade.

What about busy queues?

Staff will be monitoring the number of people in the park at any one time with a one-in-one-out policy if it reaches full capacity.

Social distancing measures will be in place while customers are queuing for rides, with one-way systems introduced on some walk-ways.

Customers are advised to follow the instructions from staff members for each ride to ensure one-metre social distancing at all times.

New hand sanitising facilities will be installed across the park and enhanced deep-cleaning measures introduced on all the rides and attractions.

How will staff be prepared?

Staff at Ocean Beach undergone full training in the new procedures and will be equipped with a range of PPE.

They will be temperature tested every day before work to make sure they are not carrying the virus.

Any members of the public displaying symptoms is asked not to visit.

When will the park be open?

From Saturday, July 4, rides will be open from 11am-6pm daily, weather permitting.

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