Nottingham-based Mellors Group has acquired Lightwater Valley from the Brighton Pier Group (BPG).
Mellors Group is a family-owned business that operates travelling fairground rides at Nottingham’s Goose Fair and other major events across the UK.
The company also owns Fantasy Island in Lincolnshire and Skegness Pier and has been involved in the attractions industry since the late 19th century.
Lightwater Valley was acquired by Brighton Pier Group in 2021 in a £5 million deal.
Following the purchase, the theme park near Ripon underwent a significant change in direction, with most of its thrill rides removed, including the Ultimate and Raptor Attack rollercoasters.
The park was subsequently repositioned to focus on younger children and families.
As part of Brighton Pier Group’s more recent asset disposal programme, Lightwater Valley was placed on the market, leading to its sale to Mellors Group.
Mellors Group typically operates a higher proportion of thrill rides, both at Fantasy Island and within its travelling ride portfolio. The new owners are expected to introduce thrill-based attractions to Lightwater Valley next season, although the group has not yet commented publicly on its plans for the site.
Lightwater Valley was founded by Robert Staveley in 1969 as a self-pick fruit farm before evolving into a theme park.
Staveley later oversaw the development of a number of in-house designed rides featuring distinctive theming. Among them was the Ultimate, which was the longest rollercoaster in the world when it opened in 1991.
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