RCCGB FORUM

coastergraham · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject: Metroland Closure

I have come accross confirmation about the demise of Metroland at the Metro Centre, Gateshead.

According to the article its last day of operation will be 20th April

http://www.parkworld-online.com/n...lstory.php/aid/689/Metroland.html
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Big Stevie B · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

That's really sad news. We did our summer tour and did the park in September on route to Scotland. Admittedly it is small but i really liked it. I would love something like this in a shopping centre close to me. Bluewater would be great with something like this. It was my only reason to visit the Metro centre.
See Smiler, i said it was a valid detour.
The coaster is actually very good for what it is as well. I wonder if i could get there before that date? Maybe i could detour before the Blackpool Bash and visit one last time.
Every shopping centre has the same, predictable cinema, bowling ally and generic line up of shops now. It must have been a business puller being a novelty?
I did Mall Of America on the club USA trip in 2007. Even after that, i was impressed with the Metro centre.
We even got Smiler on the Pirate Ship without forcing him! lol
Plus its weather proof. I wish it was closer to me as i would personally keep it in business.
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Auntie Murial · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

I agree with Steve, this sort of park is ideal for this country being indoors, i have not been to the park considering it is so far away.
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bluea61 · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject:

I'd like to try and make it up there before it closes.

It just feels like another example of developer greed. How they think that "This next phase will ensure that the Metro Centre continues to offer the best in modern shopping and leisure for local people and visitors to the North East". All this will do is turn it into another shopping centre with the same leisure activities. What happens when we all get bored of shopping, bowling and cinemas?? All this will do is shift the business from an older bowling alley to the new one causing the older one to close. This is exactly what happened in Portsmouth, and now that building sits empty and nearly folded the junior leagues.

These sort of areas need to have an iconic and different appeal. Gunwharf was built here and has all the same things as the Metro Centre, but we have the dockyard and the tower. I wonder which you would choose?
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bradpeet · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

Interestingly enough, I read the following article just yesterday http://www.psfk.com/2008/01/the-d...the-shopping-mall-in-america.html

And considering how we seem to follow the USA in so many ways - albeit after a delay - it makes the decision seem even more short sided.

We are already seeing the city centres being populated by young, well-to-do types. So the out of town malls are going to have to fight for their survival.

stealth fan · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject:

I have been lucky, like Stevie B to get on this coaster last year. Ok, it's only a Zierer Tivoli but a custom design and a great coaster. It was rather hot in there with all the heat given out from the ride power supplies though. Wonder where the coaster will relocate to.
If you want to see what this coaster is like, or for those that were there, bring back memories click this link.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9sTTfbzGpeg

If I remember rightly, it was straight after Dan's breakdown footage.
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smiler · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

Very sad news indead I love this place great themeing here and there and a great coaster to. Such a shame that this is going it seems like like Steve said all shoping places have got cinemas bowling places ect. The metro centre has got a massive area so why cant they build a building on the side to do it there grrrrr makes me mad.
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bluea61 · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:32 am Post subject:

I myself am a tenpin bowler and am amazed at how empty the centres look these days. The bowling alley I started out closed because Guwharf opened and Gunwharf only ever seems to be busy at weekends.

I think its really sad and I agree with you Brad, its very short sighted especially afetr all the new shopping centres are springing up in tin sheds everywhere. Why can't buildings be built that look good and are not just cheap. We have been inundated with tin sheds in Havant near me and it just doesn't suit the area.

BEWARE OF LINK! I opened the above link and it tried to download a trojan onto our computer. Anyone who has clicked the link may wish to check their system.
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stealth fan · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:37 am Post subject:

nemesis scribe · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

I have never been to Metroland so its a tick i have not yet got. Does anyone know if the coaster is being re-located anywhere else??

Sad that another park / mall - whatever its classed as, is going.

AD Cool

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Happy Helen · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

I have never been to Metro Land , it is a shame that it is going as in the winter months, especially for families it would have been great.

Somewhere like the Bluewater shopping centre would have been ideal, but I think it would be very expensive to build somewhere like Metroland.

I have noticed alot of big shopping centres have bowling Alleys and cinemas including Gunwharf Keys which was busy went I went.

It sounded like a great coaster, so I am wondering where it will be going, as there an't any major theme parks in Gateshead.

bluea61 · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:

No it was Brad's link
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bradpeet · Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:27 am Post subject:

That's strange - and worrying - my virus checker did not pick anything up.

marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Big Stevie B · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:

Has this closed down yet or is there a date for it.

The coaster was a nice ride, that really sad. Although i can see why it could never be relocated. It was to unique and made to fit in with the architecture of that building.
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marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Magic · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject:

Oh Marshall you were teasing us into thinking you were going to buy it. Or are you saving the space for something exciting?
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marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

It seems the coaster has been saved from the scrap yard ! It will open next year in a british park .

Happy Helen · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject:

Thats good news.

At least it has been saved and hopefully will be moved to another park.

bluea61 · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

Any ideas which park it will be going to?
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marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

YES ! ! But not for me to tell the world . Hopefully a couple of mine will be keeping it company. .

Magic · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject:

Does that mean you're making room for something new and exciting? How about a few teaser hints to keep us going.
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marshall hill · Kiddie Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 30

Wait and see on that one . we do start work tomorrow on our new indoor play area thou ! the ride side is up in the air at moment but will hopefully be sorted july time .