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Funfair operators lose park spot after 40 years

Victoria Scheer and Jenny CorkYorkshire
News imageBBC/Jenny Cork A small children’s amusement ride set outdoors in a green, wooded area. The ride consists of several ladybird-shaped cars, painted in bright red with black spots, arranged in a circular formation on a green platform. Each car has a rounded, dome-like shape and includes features such as small handlebars and seat belts, indicating that it is designed for young riders. Some of the cars also have cartoon-style faces painted on the front. At the centre of the ride, there is a tall green pole topped with a decorative sunflower-shaped ornament, with bright yellow petals and a green centre.BBC/Jenny Cork
Pullin's Amusements will stop operating at Endcliffe Park in December

A funfair operator that has been a fixture in Sheffield's Endcliffe Park for more than four decades has lost the licence to continue operating there.

Jon Pullin's Amusements Sheffield said in a post on social media it would continue to run the eight-generation family business until the end of November after losing an open tender process.

Sharing the news with the community, the business wrote: "Thank you for all the support you have given us over the past 40 years, we wish there could have been more."

Sheffield City Council said it had selected a bidder that would provide the highest return to the Endcliffe Park Charity, arguing that this was the best way to support the park's long-term future.

According to the council, the process allowed multiple organisations to apply and be considered "on a fair and transparent basis".

The bids were then reviewed by the Charity Trustee Sub Committee, which it said had a legal duty to support the long-term sustainability of the charity.

The council said all income from the arrangement would be used to support the upkeep and maintenance of the park.

News imageBBC/Jenny Cork The exterior of a small café building set in a leafy outdoor environment. The building has a distinctive black-and-white timber-style façade, with dark painted wood framing and light textured panels between the beams. The roof slopes downward, and small decorative lights are strung along the edge of the roofline. At the top centre of the entrance, there is a large rectangular sign with bold lettering that reads “CAFÉ”, with white letters outlined in a blue shadow against a dark background. On either side of the doorway, there are hanging baskets filled with green leafy plants and small flowers. In the foreground, a man is standing directly beneath the café sign, facing toward the camera. He is wearing a short-sleeved dark shirt and has visible tattoos on one arm.BBC/Jenny Cork
Ashley Charlesworth says he has had a great partnership with Pullin's over the years

A council spokesperson said: "We would like to thank Jon Pullins for the years they have brought benefit to the charity and happiness to children using the rides in the park.

"We are also grateful for the respectful way they have engaged with the outcome of the tender process."

The council was asked to provide more details on the organisation which is taking over the contract.

What’s happening to Pullin’s at Endcliffe Park?

Ashley Charlesworth, who runs Endcliffe Park Cafe, described owners Jon and Joe as "classic old showmen" and said it was "a real shame" they had to leave.

"We've been working in partnership together with Pullin's for 25 years and they offer a great service," said the 61-year-old.

"They do a great job. They're here every weekend and all the summer holidays and they're well loved by the local community.

"It's that classic adage, 'if it's not broke, don't fix it', you know, just leave it as it is."

Pullin's has been approached for comment.

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