Spanish theme park still has staff working despite being closed down for years

A disused Costa Del Sol theme park has been described as “frozen in time”, with staff still turning up to work despite the venue being closed for two years.

Tivoli World, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area until recently, was forced to close in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, 45 years since it first opened its doors to customers. 

No guests have been welcomed since before the pandemic but, because of a contractual loophole that left them unable to seek work elsewhere, staff keep turning up to work despite not getting paid.

President of the Salvemos Tivoli group, Juan Ramon Delgado, said: “We haven’t been paid for 10 months, but we can’t work on anything else either because we’re discharged. The situation is unsustainable.”

Some 87 members of staff are said to be still working on the premises in the hope it may one day reopen, the Daily Star has reported.

Mr Delgado said: “Despite the fact that we have no income, we do what we can to the best of our ability.”

Staff representatives have turned to the law to break the impasse, asking the courts for help in mediating with their employers and rectifying the status of their contracts.

Commenting on the situation, local parliamentarian Guzman Ahumada told local media that “excuses are running out” for the owners to not re-open the site, since “the argument that it was not economically viable has been dismantled.”

In a statement issued last March, the Benalmadena Town Council added: “The strategy and position of this government team are aligned with that of the unions and company committee, all working together to achieve the reopening of the park.

“We are going to continue to protect Tivoli because we believe that it is vital for tourism and the economy of the Costa del Sol, and there is no other way to do it than to reopen the park.”

Despite three attempted break-ins from burglars, the continued presence of staff members has meant that the interior of the site remains in perfect condition, with most of the rides thought to be fully operational.