The popular waterpark Wet n Wild in North Shields has announced it will not reopen in 2020.

Owners of the waterpark have said the site is not longer financially viable. Wet n Wild’s current operator, Serco Leisure, is reviewing future plans for the waterpark.

Wet n Wild opened in 1993. In 2013, the waterslide complex went into administration. The following year Secro Leisure took over the management of the waterpark and invested in the site, with a refurbished café, reception, children’s Discovery Play Island, new boiler system and pool plant area.

Due to poor visitor numbers outside of the school holidays and weekends, Secro Leisure said it has been accruing significant financial losses each year.

Simon Bailey, managing director at Serco Leisure, said: “I know the special place that Wet n Wild holds in the hearts of people in North Shields and the wider region and recognise that this announcement will come as a disappointment to many.

“Since taking over operation of the waterpark in 2014, Serco Leisure has explored every avenue to make the park a viable operation but regrettably we cannot continue to sustain the level of financial losses that we are experiencing.

“This has forced us to make the difficult and regrettable decision not to reopen in 2020, while we consider all options for the future of the site,” Bailey added.