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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Emma Gill

Blackpool Tower's Jungle Jim's is being replaced with a floor of free family fun

It's been the home of the much-loved Jungle Jim's for generations, but it's all change at Blackpool Tower.

The play area has closed and plans are well underway for the venue's new Fifth Floor development.

Due to open this autumn, the new themed entertainment and event suite will be used for family fun, events and conferences.

The new floor will add to the family entertainment already on offer at Blackpool Tower, including the popular circus (www.jasonlock.co.uk)

There will be paid-for arcade games - and specific ticketed events such as New Year's Eve - but most of what's on offer will be free.

Davey Dee will be the main host, with magician Russ Brown as one of the headline acts.

Families are told to 'expect crazy slime parties, gunge roulette, zorb bowling, wacky science, secret agent academies, plus the hilarious Strictly Dad Dancing and Tower's Got Juice game shows'.

The new 750-capacity venue will create an additional 20 jobs and the development comes as The Blackpool Tower celebrates its 125th anniversary.

It's all change at Blackpool Tower (Birmingham Post and Mail)

Kenny Mew, general manager at the tower, said: “We are really excited to be opening this new space for the public.

"This new area will increase the potential of attracting big names in the entertainment industry right here to Blackpool.

"The possibilities are endless. It will have multiple themes, including a taste of circus which Blackpool is so famous for.

“Over the years, Jungle Jim’s has been close to many people’s hearts and it has brought literally thousands of hours of playtime fun which will always be remembered."

The new floor will feature an arcade (Manchester Evening News)

He added: "Moving forward, it is important for The Blackpool Tower to ensure it is meeting public demand in relation to features which they want to see.

"Over the years, we have noticed an increasing appetite for unique event spaces inside our iconic building; therefore we are keen to meet this demand and to be able to create 20 plus permanent jobs which is a real positive for Blackpool.

“During its 125-year history, this area has been home to many exciting attractions and this new space will only add to the legacy of this historic building. It will really complement our portfolio of first class event spaces here at The Blackpool Tower.”

(Manchester Evening News)

Currently The Blackpool Tower is home to attractions including The Blackpool Tower Eye, the circus, the Tower Ballroom and Tower Dungeon.

Host Davey Dee said "I'll be doing lots of crazy games with the kids as well as working alongside our magician Russ Brown, speciality acts and various singers, plus I'll be the resident DJ too.

A cgi of the new bar on the Fifth Floor (Manchester Evening News)

"It's all very exciting and I can't wait to get started. It really is the pinnacle of my career and I can't think of a more iconic place to work."

Do you have memories of Jungle Jim's? What do you think of the plans for the tower's Fifth Floor? Let us know in the comments, or share your views on our Manchester Family Facebook page.      

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