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Sadness and despair over closure of family fun park

Elaine Mitchell
BBC News NI, North East Reporter
BBC Ellie and Zack standing at the miniature golf course. Ellie is wearing a grey t-shirt and has her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Zack has short dark hair and is wearing a blue and grey top. He is squinting because of the sun and is carrying a putter in one handBBC
Ellie and Zack said they would miss coming to the Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone

The owners of a family fun park in County Antrim have been told by the local council that their lease will not be renewed.

Ian Lough, who has run the Carnfunnock Family Fun Zone for 22 years, said he was devastated by the “totally out of the blue” decision.

The Family Fun Zone is based in the Mid and East Antrim Council-run Carnfunnock Country Park, which is due to undergo a £6m redevelopment.

The council said it was not feasible for the family fun zone to operate in the middle of a construction site.

Business owner looking into camera with sad face
Ian Lough runs the fun zone with his son Christopher

Ian Lough said he was blindsided by the termination of their rolling lease.

“We got an email from the council on 23 June saying they were happy for us to progress our work for next year and they would work out a new lease," he said.

"And then last week, they just turned around and handed us the paper saying that our lease had been terminated.”

Mid and East Antrim Council said it had offered the family alternative sites to operate from but Mr Lough said they were not suitable.

“How do you lift an 18-hole mini golf course or how do you lift a 800m miniature railway":[]}