New Carnival Golf & Games Entertainment Hub Opens at Merry Hill
Funstation's newest and largest entertainment destination, Carnival Golf & Games, has officially opened its doors at the Merry Hill shopping centre. This vibrant venue brings together the company's most popular attractions under one expansive roof, building on over two decades of delivering fun experiences across the United Kingdom.
Grand Opening Celebration Draws Crowds
The grand opening launch event marked the official debut with a lively celebration that welcomed more than 180 guests, creating significant buzz throughout the centre and the wider local community. Attendees included local business representatives, social media influencers, bloggers, schools, youth organisations like the Dudley Sea Cadets, families from surrounding areas, and members of the media. Notable media personalities present were Vanessa Pearce from the BBC, Ken Francis from Black Country Radio, and Dave Brownhill.
VIP Reception and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The evening commenced at 6:00 pm with an exclusive VIP reception where guests enjoyed complimentary access to Carnival Golf, Volcano Falls Adventure Golf, arcade games, electric darts, and Pixel interactive gaming floor. Visitors also had opportunities to book Breakout Escape Rooms, which feature four uniquely themed rooms. The atmosphere was electrified by a spectacular programme of live entertainment including circus performers, stilt walkers, showgirls, and a Greatest Showman tribute act.
At 7:00 pm, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, led by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pete Lee, alongside his wife, Mayoress Gloria Lee. They were joined by local representatives including Cat Eccles MP, Councillor Adam Davies, as well as families from Rays of Sunshine charity and members of Dudley Sea Cadets with their Chairman. The ceremony formally declared Carnival Golf & Games open to the public, after which doors opened to additional visitors as the venue filled with laughter and excitement.
Local Leaders Praise New Venue
The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Pete Lee, expressed his enthusiasm: "It was a real pleasure to attend today's opening and to officially cut the ribbon on this fantastic new business. The energy and enthusiasm from the team were clear to see, and it's wonderful to welcome such investment and ambition into our borough. New businesses bring fresh opportunities, support our local economy and help our high streets thrive. I wish the team every success for the future and look forward to seeing them grow from strength to strength."
MP Cat Eccles also commended the new venue: "From golf to arcade games, escape rooms to laser tag, there's something for everyone. Owners Vanessa and James have built up their family business, with the Merry Hill site being their biggest venture yet. It was wonderful to meet their partner charity, Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity, who grant wishes to seriously ill children across the UK. Go and check out the venue and have some fun!"
Cllr Adam Davies added: "It was a real pleasure to attend the opening of Carnival Golf & Games at Merry Hill – and to see local families having so much fun. This exciting new venue is great for the area, creating jobs and bringing fresh leisure opportunities to Brierley Hill. It was especially heartening to hear about Carnival's long-standing partnership with Rays of Sunshine too, a fantastic charity making a real difference for seriously ill children and their families."
Charity Partnership and Community Impact
As part of the launch, Carnival Golf & Games proudly partnered with Rays of Sunshine, a charity dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children. The venue donated £5,000 to the charity and invited three local families it supports as special guests, including the families of Alfred, Callum, and Sarif. These families enjoyed the evening alongside Sonny, the charity's mascot, highlighting the venue's commitment to community engagement and creating meaningful impact.
Amy Chambers, CEO at Rays of Sunshine, stated: "The team behind Carnival, Golf and Games have been loyal supporters of Rays of Sunshine for many years, and we were delighted to be able to support them at their grand opening in Merry Hill, and receive a generous donation at the same time. We rely on the generosity of our partners to brighten the lives of seriously and terminally ill children when they need it most, and we are so grateful for their continued support. Our families were treated like true VIPs all night and we know so many other children in Merry Hill and beyond will love what Carnival, Golf and Games has to offer!"
Catherine Hickman, mother to Alfred who helped open the new location, shared: "It was a huge honour for Alfred to be asked to represent Rays of Sunshine families at the official opening of Carnival Golf and Games and he absolutely loved trying out all of the new activities. As a local family it's always important to know of places locally that are welcoming and fun for families like ours to visit, and we are hugely grateful to Carnival for the generous support of the charity. It means the world."
Transforming Former Debenhams Unit
With the ribbon officially cut and doors now open, Carnival Golf & Games is welcoming families, friends, groups, and teams to enjoy a vibrant new addition to Merry Hill, offering an entertainment centre where people can connect, have fun, and create unforgettable memories.
Jonathan Poole, centre manager at Merry Hill, explained: "We're thrilled to be expanding Merry Hill's leisure offer even further with the opening of Carnival Golf & Games. The new opening offers visitors a brand-new experience where they can create unforgettable moments together. Completing the milestone transformation of the former Debenhams unit and further strengthening our leisure offer, Carnival Golf & Games is an incredible 24,000 sq. ft destination. Featuring a full arcade, crazy golf, darts and even laser tag, it's a fantastic new space that we're confident our visitors will love, adding yet another reason to visit Merry Hill."
James Miller, Owner of Funstation UK, added: "We're incredibly proud to open Carnival Golf & Games at Merry Hill. This is our biggest venture to date and brings together everything we've learned over the past 20 years, helping to deliver even more memorable and fun experiences."
Now Open for Endless Entertainment
Carnival Golf & Games is now open at Merry Hill and ready to welcome visitors for endless hours of entertainment and shared experiences. The venue offers fun for all ages with multiple activities all under one roof including:
- Carnival Golf
- Volcano Falls Adventure Golf
- Arcade Games
- Pixel Floor interactive gaming
- BreakOut Escape Rooms
- Laser Station laser tag experience coming soon
This comprehensive entertainment destination represents a significant addition to the local leisure landscape, providing diverse options for family outings, group activities, and memorable social experiences.
