China, Home And Moving With The Times – The Changing Challenges Of Perks

In the second of a two-part series Christy Parker follows the Perks into the modern era Photo: Reproduced by Michael Hussey with kind permission by the Perks family

Within three years of their wedding in 1969, Sal and Philip Tivy-Perks bought Perks funfair from Sal’s parents Bill (Jumbo) and Violet (V). It was destiny fulfilled for the youngest Perks sibling, whose two brothers had no interest in pursuing the family business. While Perks travelled extensively throughout Ireland Sal had acquired her education through boarding school, but family duty called outside of school term. “It was work, work, work. That was the how we were brought up,” she says matter-of-factly. She later trained as a beautician at London’s Elizabeth Arden academy and briefly opened her own beauty salon in Cork before leaving the trade to commit more to the family funfair.

Philip, an engineer from a banking background, ran a motorbike shop in Cork. He and Sal met through an interest in vintage cars, their paths crossing on vintage runs in which Sal drove a beloved 1924 Humber. For ‘the Prince and the Showgirl” as friends liked to call them, the roads led to enduring love.

V died in 1982 and Jumbo four years later, as Sal and Philip managed the business in traditional manner from its Front Strand base. “We travelled Ireland from March to May, did Youghal for June, July and August and travelled again September and October. The winters were relatively idle,” says Sal.

The couple would rear two children, Gavin and Warren, but another arrival, a decade ago, would leave a profound imprint on the business. Sal explains, “Jumbo knew Walt Disney through the International Association of Amusements Parks and Attractions (IAPPA) and Disney Vice President Ted Crowell became a good friend. He loved Ireland and we often exchanged visits. Ted’s wife died but he remarried and came here on honeymoon in 1988. During his stay he devised the idea of Perkie Bear. It’s been a huge success and helped us win several industry awards too.”

China

Idle winters weren’t financially conducive to rearing two children (and a large bear), plus maintaining equipment, etc. However, in the winter of 1994-’95, Sal and Philip accepted an opportunity to operate their funfair in Hong Kong. Soon afterwards, the Chinese government invited them to enter partnership to construct and manage a huge amusement park some four hours north of Beijing. Winters were about to change.

The Chinese venture would bring a wealth of intriguing experiences and memories. It saw the establishment of Perkie Park amidst an enormous Western-style recreation complex of hotels, amusement parks, sports facilities, etc. It was set in a historically significant landscape, where the last battles in the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-45 were fought. “There were many miles of lakes, with giant water lilies under which the Chinese hid to ambush the invading Japanese,” Sal recalls.

A three million population within 30 kilometres brought avalanches of arrivals to Perkie Park. Many arrived on factory-sponsored bus tours, hell bent on experiencing Western-style attractions like roller coasters, dodgems, carousels, swing-boats, etc. “We also ran very popular theme shows, such as Wild West days and we had a huge McPerkie burger restaurant. It was all a new experience for the Chinese and they loved it,” smiles Sal. Perkie Park employed over 200 staff, mostly poorly educated rural Chinese. “They were absolutely wonderful people,” Sal remembers.

Under their contract terms, Perks would train Chinese engineers and maintenance staff to replace their initial Irish equivalents, over a few years. “It was almost impossible to train them to adequate standard,” Sal recalls. “Other fairs had similar problems and they experienced some terrible accidents. Inevitably Philip had to double-check everything, working 6am-11pm. It became un-enjoyable, so after five years we left it.”

Home again

Back home, the old base beneath the Showboat dancehall had limited capacity and had become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. They eventually acquired planning permission for an apartments complex on the site before selling it.

Meantime the Celtic Tiger was prowling, growling and growing fat. The tax incentive that was the Seaside Renewal Scheme offered a fresh option and Perks acquired planning permission for a funfair park adjacent to the old railway station. An Bord Pleanala rejected a subsequent appeal against the proposal, but the delay meant permission finally arrived one day too late to avail of the Scheme. “It was the best thing that could have happened!”, decides Sal. “In retrospect, it would have been China all over again, with 16-hour days and then off-season travelling. Outdoor attractions can be very difficult to manage; you work long hours and then it rains and nobody shows up! Our sons weren’t interested and really we didn’t need the lifestyle any more either.”

A new beginning

While awaiting planning permission, Perks had moved into part of the old Blackwater Cottons factory. Over the following few years, Sal and Philip extended their holding until eventually buying it all. Within this neon-flashing, colourful, carpeted arena, evolved the new Perks, which continues to grow and diversify as a versatile, indoor entertainment complex.

Some popular, traditional attractions have been jettisoned in the interest of cost-effectiveness. For example, “dodgems take up lot of space, are high maintenance and tend to be idle a lot,” Sal explains adding that the roulette wheel also went because “the novelty simply wears off for people after awhile.” Other “traditional carnival attractions,” such as casino and slot machines have been retained.

In keeping with pedigree, “we still focus principally on children’s entertainment,” insists Sal. Thus a carousel, safari train and bumper boats are amongst the inducements reaching towards the very young, as is Blackbeard’s Adventure Play Centre, with its three levels of hands-on soft play facilities. FunBall ShootAir allows for interactive fun for families, while pool and air hockey offer tableside competitive entertainment.

Superbowls and lasers

For all ages Superbowl, Youghal’s first and only tenpin bowling alley, is a firm favourite, attracting individuals and groups. Tucked almost imperceptibly away from the main arcade, rows of what used to be termed one-arm bandits form an adults’ casino.

Yesterday’s generations may swear that nothing beats toppling a coconut from ten feet but times and tastes have changed and arcades must adapt or die. The most recent adaptation is the Megazone Lazer Shots, a high-tech, action & adventure laser game played to pulsating music in a themed arena, with special effects. For Perks, travelling now means trade fairs and exhibitions to keep abreast of such technology.

Complimenting the facilities, McPerkies’ fast-food dining area contributes crucially. Aware that fun shared is fun magnified, there are layers of party packages that merge food and facilities for groups of eight or more for a pre-paid fee. It is not unknown for up to 18 groups to be entertained in one day.

Staff and community

The role of staff cannot be overstated in Perks’ evolvement. The company has 30 full-time employees, some of which have been ever present for decades. Up to 70 part-time staff may be employed during summer, many of them returning repeatedly.

Perks is also “interacting more with the wider community,” says Sal. “The Superbowl is popular with fundraisers and we collaborate with school trips and the Aura Leisure Centre a lot. This year we have several initiatives planned with the Quality Hotel, including breakfast with Perkie Bear mornings. We’re also doing promotional work in shopping centres in the region.”

80th celebrations

There is much to promote this year of anniversary. Currently, heats of the €1,500 Texas Hold’em poker tournament are ongoing, with the final on April 9th. The monthly celebrations continue on April 17th when a champagne buffet launches the Las Vegas Showboat Casino Evening, for which croupier roulette returns briefly, with €1,000 in prizes. A Roaring Twenties night, Lazer Zone competitions and talent contests are scheduled. An epoch is reached on August 19th when €10 entry will facilitate unlimited access to all the rides and games! The year will wind down with a Superbowl tournament, Halloween Party, Santa’s grotto and a Casino Christmas Party.

It’s all a long way from when Jumbo and V raffled their wedding presents for wheel of fortune prizes on their opening day 80 years. Yet one, crucial facet remains constant: the laughter, fun and memories continue as ever.
See http://www.perksfunfair.com/
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