Two of Morecambe's most iconic former stores will be transformed into an indoor scream park horror experience this Halloween.
The closed-down Hitchens and former B&M Bargains/Woolworths on Marine Road Central will house an 'immersive horror experience' called Johnny's Fear Factory on a series of dates in October.
The new scream park will feature four horror zones including an 'electric shock' laser tag experience, a hallway of horrors inside the former Hitchens, a maze-like walkway of horror scenes and live actors called 'Weirder Things' and a 'Ghost Rider' ghost train with an added twist.
There will also be access to a fairground, food court and bars included in the ticket price.
Family sessions are also available.
John O ‘Neill from Morecambe Business Improvement District (BID), said: “It is exciting to see something new come to Morecambe. Scream parks have been rising in popularity and it’s another event that we can shout about for the area that will help drive visitors.”
Watch the trailer for Johnny's Fear Factory. Warning - not for the faint-hearted!
Johnny's Fear FactoryGet ready to go out of your mind. #morecambe #Halloween2023 #JohnnysFearFactory
Posted by Johnny's Warehouse Bar & Events Venue on Friday, July 28, 2023
Johnny's Fear Factory will be run by Morecambe-based company Jet Ltd, who also own the nearby Johnny's Warehouse Bar, Pleasureland amusement arcade, Soul Bowl Bar and Vista bowling alley and restaurant, and the Jump Rush trampoline park.
“We have watched the phenomenal growth of new scream parks across the UK over the last few years and it is obvious that people love to be scared," said Solomon Reader, director of Jet Ltd.
"We were looking for commercial ideas for the empty buildings that we had and realised that they would be perfect for this type of event.
"As retail occupancy is dropping nationwide, we are seeing more leisure experiences being introduced to raise footfall and bring something new to communities. We’re hoping this event will be another reason to put the region on the map.
"We’re quite the horror fans ourselves so we’re really excited about bringing this to the area and giving everyone something to look forward to this Halloween.”
The team behind the event includes Matt Panesh, a familiar face in the Morecambe arts and culture scene as the driving force behind Morecambe Fringe Festival, Morecambe Poetry Festival, the West End Players, Hawkfest and his involvement in many more local productions.
Matt, who also co-hosts the Decadent Airwaves poetry show on Beyond Radio, will be coordinating the recruitment, training and management of the actors involved in Johnny’s Fear Factory.
Pictured below are Matt Panesh with Caroline Walker and Solomon Reader from Jet Ltd with a frightening friend...or fiend!
“There are over 20 seasonal positions available across acting and make-up roles," said Matt.
"We are holding open auditions on September 5, 7 and 12 and people can sign up online to take part. You don’t have to have had previous acting experience but you definitely have to have the confidence and energy to play the part.
"It’s great to be bringing a different cultural event to Morecambe where local talent can get involved and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been involved in the scene creations and, trust me, it’s not going to be for the faint-hearted!"
The four horror zones at Johnny's Fear Factory are:
Electrotag - this is "laser tag but just a little more electrifying" where you "run from your opposition, otherwise you might just get more of a shock than you bargained for. There will also be non-electrified versions of the game for all those under 15 and family sessions.
Ghost Rider - billed as: "Depart the mortal world on a one-way track to beyond the grave. Visit ghosts, ghouls and terrifying tombs. There is nothing virtual about our ghost train experience so prepare to come face-to-face with those who roam the underworld."
Hallway of Horrors - “Will you make it to the end of the hall? We hope not. Nobody can hear your screams in the Hallway of Horrors.” This zone is an immersive horror experience in the old Hitchens building, where actors will take visitors into worlds and scenes from common horror scenarios and nightmares.
Weirder Things - “Delve into the world of the weird and wonderful, creepy and strange. Just don’t stay too long or you might not make it back.” A maze-like walkway of horror scenes and live actors that takes in the creepy, strange and plain chilling.
Johnny's Fear Factory will host two sessions for 13 plus (all under 17s must accompanied by an adult) each evening and an afternoon family session will also run with milder versions of the Ghost Rider, Electrotag and Weirder Things installations (no Hallway of Horrors).
Early release tickets are available so far on October 27, 28 and 31 at the website where full details of age limits and other restrictions can be found.
Pictured below are the former Hitchens and B&M Bargains/Woolworths buildings where Johnny's Fear Factory will open.
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