aMaizin! Adventure Park to close for good next August

Monday 04 November 2024

One of Jersey’s largest family attractions will close its doors for the final time next year.

aMaizin! Adventure Park in St Peter will shut on 31 August, when its owners, Carlton and Kristina Le Feuvre plan to retire.

The park, which includes outdoor slides, go-karts and a goldmine, farm animals and an indoor play area, has been open for almost 25 years, when the Le Feuvres transformed their farm into a visitor attraction.

The couple have decided not to sell the business but existing tenants will remain.

Pictured: Kristina Le Feuvre at the aMaizin! Adventure Park, which will close for good next August.

Mrs Le Feuvre said: “This has been an extremely difficult and emotional decision for us to make because we have absolutely loved the journey of growing a destination for families, creating activities and experiences, and seeing our young guests grow and flourish.

“But following many discussions between Carlton, myself and our daughter Francesca, who joined the business in 2019, we now need the flexibility to have more time for ourselves and our family. 

“When we started the business, our children were either in or about to start primary school. They’ve now grown up and after regularly working 60-70 hours, seven days a week, for more years than we can remember, the time has come for Carlton, Francesca and I to put our families first. 

“We love living on the farm and have no wish to sell up and move on so have made the difficult decision to close the business in its current format.” 

The business will stay open through the autumn, winter and through to the end of August 2025 and the Le Feuvres said that they had no plans for a housing or intensive development on the site or to sell any land. 

They added that tenants, including the K9 Wellness Centre, would remain open once the attraction closes next year, and all staff have been consulted and are being supported while the park continues to operate.

Pictured: The park, which includes outdoor slides, go-karts and a goldmine, farm animals and an indoor play area, has been open for almost 25 years.

Mrs Le Feuvre said: “We’ve been fortunate to spend our days with an incredibly special team of people who have become firm friends, and we have kept our team up to date with our plans.

“We’ll miss that camaraderie, sense of belonging and joy of doing a job that we love. We’ve never underestimated the value of our team, or the loyalty and support from our customers.”

She added that, despite “a tough few years” for the visitor and leisure industries, the membership scheme was at its highest level since it began, and the park will close its doors as the second largest paying attraction in Jersey. 

The family are hoping that the building and land will continue to have “a community feel and use” as the property evolves in the future, and, subject to planning, they will be looking for a “less intensive use for the property”.

Mr Le Feuvre said: “We were the largest potato packing station in the west of the island at the end of the last century, and for 24 years we have welcomed many visitors. It will be nice to see the property evolve in our retirement.”

Mrs Le Feuvre added: “We would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported us through our journey of transforming a farm into a recreation and retail business and to our amazing staff whose hard work has made all those memorable experiences possible.

“After we close at the end of the summer season next year, we hope that islanders will continue to support the existing attractions and we will look on with excitement to see which new businesses start, which current businesses grow to fill the gap and what the future brings.”

A spokesperson for Visit Jersey, which markets the Island to visitors, said: "We are grateful for the dedication and passion of the team at aMaizin! Adventure Park, who for many years have provided fun, laughter, and fond memories to local families and visitors alike.