Student draws up new Pleasure Beach plans

14 June 2017

Daisy has given her home town’s famous theme park a rebrand as part of her final year project

A nostalgic mascot could be making a reappearance around the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, should a University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) student get her way.

Daisy Bunting, 22, who will graduate next month with a degree in fashion promotion, has given her home town’s famous theme park a rebrand as part of her final year project.

Her designs have made Mr Funshine, the mascot whose familiar face adorned the park’s logo between the 1930s until the early 2000s, the star of the show once again.

The former Highfield High School and Blackpool and the Fylde College student, who lives in South Shore, previously worked at the park as a face painter and balloon modeller for several years.

"When carrying out research for the project, I found that Mr Funshine brings back so many wonderful memories for people and is still an instantly recognisable symbol of the park."

“I love the Pleasure Beach, having grown up with it right on my doorstep and then working there too. When carrying out research for the project, I found that Mr Funshine brings back so many wonderful memories for people and is still an instantly recognisable symbol of the park,” says Daisy.

“I wanted to inject a sense of nostalgia into my work but at the same time maintain a modern feel to reflect the Pleasure Beach of today, while also making sure I retained the brand’s values throughout. It would be great to see Mr Funshine’s smiling face back around the Pleasure Beach.

“I found UCLan a great place to study, especially with it being so close to home and easily accessible. My course leader Eve Astle was brilliant and so supportive of me, which really helped me to stay motivated.

“The course was really varied and the opportunity to undertake a placement year was fantastic, as it enabled me to build up lots of experience and make contacts. I’m now hoping to pursue a career in Graphic Design.”

Daisy’s work will be on display at UCLan’s Preston Campus from 9-16 June as part of the Lancashire Arts Festival Degree Show.