A look back at Botany Bay, a Lancashire shopping center cherished for its shops, dining and Puddletown Pirates play area.
A huge play area existed for children there. It stood by the Leeds Liverpool Canal. People remember visiting it fondly. The mill was five stories tall. It became a shopping center in 1995.
You could buy clothes and furniture. They had a garden center too. People enjoyed the cafes and restaurants. Christmas markets and food festivals happened there. The Christmas events were super popular.
Many people came each year. Elves, Anna and Elsa showed up. Reindeer even came from the Cairngorms. Santa Claus always visited the market.
Cafe 1855 was inside Botany Bay. It sold coffee, sandwiches, and cake. Smethurst Restaurant was on the fourth floor. It offered full meals. The food hall had unique foods. Bakeries, butchers, and ice cream makers were there.
Kids adored Puddletown Pirates. It was a giant soft play area. It was Britain’s biggest when it opened. The M.E.N reported this. Puddletown Pirates was super fun.
Ball pools and nets kept kids busy. Skull Island was a cool pirate ship. Birthday parties happened there a lot. Slides and ropes added to the fun. The complex used to be the UK’s biggest.
The penny arcade was on the third floor. It had lots of old slot machines. People exchanged money for old pennies. They played the classic machines. “The Smithy” and “Cave of Horrors” existed.
Machines like “Laughing Policeman” were popular. “Haunted House” and “Mummy’s Thumb” thrilled visitors. “Pinky and Perky” also amused folks. Botany Bay was loved for over twenty years. People visited from all over the area.
Botany Bay closed in 2018. People shared sad feelings on Facebook. Alison Grounds was very frustrated about it. She loved going there at Christmas. Thomas Watson felt sad about the closing. He always stopped there going to Blackpool.
Katy Bowden was also upset. She had just visited that same day and found out it was closing. That was likely her last visit. The doors closed in 2019. People suggested ideas to rebuild it.
FIREM is working on changes now. They want to build an industrial park. It will be around the old building. A new building will connect to the mill.