By james art A POPULAR attraction at Birmingham’s NEC inspired by TV adventurer Bear Grylls has announced it will close before Christmas.
The Bear Grylls Adventure announced today, October 30, that it will close from December 11 after six years in a decision that “has not been taken lightly”.
The attraction included impressive thrill-seeking activities such as a 65-foot high rope and shark diving.
In a statement, the company cited “commercial challenges” as the reason they were forced to close their doors, specifically citing the lasting effects of the Covid pandemic.
They said: “This was a very difficult decision and was only made after careful consideration.
“Our priority now is to care for our team members and animals during this transition.
“In the coming weeks we will continue to provide world-class animal care as we prepare to move our animals to suitable new homes, including at our nearby aquarium, the National SEA LIFE Center in Birmingham and other SEA LIFE sites across the UK.”
“Our team of SEA LIFE Humanities Specialists will oversee the transition process to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.
“We are proud of the positive impact The Bear Grylls Adventure has had on the thousands of children and families who have visited over the past six years, showing guests first-hand the power of an engaging escape from the ordinary and how adventure is for everyone.
“We want to thank our amazing team and guests who made this time so unforgettable.”
Guests with tickets booked before December 11 are being told to visit as normal, and those with bookings after the closing date should request a refund.
The £20m attraction is run by Merlin Entertainments, who also run nearby attractions such as Cadbury World, Alton Towers Theme Park and the National Sea Life Centre.