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Dismaland’s Anti-Capitalist Banksy Nets Millions for UK Tourist Businesses

© Flickr / Kent WangDismaland
Dismaland - Sputnik International
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Over the last five weeks 150,000 people have visited the site of a derelict lido in the south west of England because that's where Banksy's Dismaland is - but not for much longer.

Anti-capitalist graffiti artist, curator and sculptor Banksy is shutting the doors to his so-called 'Bemusement Park' to the public — but not before the media tell us how much money's been made.

© Flickr / Ben K AdamsCinderella’s Castle at Dismaland: step inside the fairy tale and see how it feels to be a real princess.
Cinderella’s Castle at Dismaland: step inside the fairy tale and see how it feels to be a real princess. - Sputnik International
Cinderella’s Castle at Dismaland: step inside the fairy tale and see how it feels to be a real princess.

Yes, that's right, 'all hail Banksy!' as the parochial sea side town of Weston-super-Mare nets millions of pounds just because he's been there.

Visit Somerset says Dismaland has boosted local business profits by $30.5 million (£20m).

Hotels have been full every night and a taxi driver told Sputnik that he's never been so busy taking people back to Bristol each night raking in big 'fayres'.

"The show has gone way beyond our hopes… and underlines how important tourism can be in the local economy," John Turner from Visit Somerset told local media.

© Flickr / Sleeves Rolled UpDistressing: ponds with motor boats full of destitute refugees.
Distressing: ponds with motor boats full of destitute refugees. - Sputnik International
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Distressing: ponds with motor boats full of destitute refugees.
© Flickr / Sleeves Rolled UpA tent full of activists' posters is one of the attractions at Dismaland.
A tent full of activists' posters is one of the attractions at Dismaland. - Sputnik International
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A tent full of activists' posters is one of the attractions at Dismaland.
© Flickr / Sleeves Rolled UpAn installation of a killer whale jumping out of a toilet and through a hoop.
An installation of a killer whale jumping out of a toilet and through a hoop. - Sputnik International
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An installation of a killer whale jumping out of a toilet and through a hoop.
© Flickr / Sleeves Rolled UpPunch and Julie. The infamous Julie Burchill has given this seaside staple a good kicking. Now includes references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades of Grey.
Punch and Julie. The infamous Julie Burchill has given this seaside staple a good kicking. Now includes references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades of Grey. - Sputnik International
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Punch and Julie. The infamous Julie Burchill has given this seaside staple a good kicking. Now includes references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades of Grey.
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Distressing: ponds with motor boats full of destitute refugees.
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A tent full of activists' posters is one of the attractions at Dismaland.
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An installation of a killer whale jumping out of a toilet and through a hoop.
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Punch and Julie. The infamous Julie Burchill has given this seaside staple a good kicking. Now includes references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades of Grey.

The ironic theme park has sold 4,000 tickets a day online, and 500 more to those queuing for hours — often in the rain — hoping to get in.

"We saw it on a dismal day, it was very grey, and it was very dismal," a park visitor told Sputnik.

"If I put my hand on my heart, I preferred 'Exit Through The Gift Shop' in Bristol a few years ago. It's just too much for one visit."

© Flickr / SLEEVES ROLLED UPA poster of British PM David Cameron at Dismaland.
A poster of British PM David Cameron at Dismaland. - Sputnik International
A poster of British PM David Cameron at Dismaland.

A theme park complete with a vandalized billboard poster of UK Prime Minister David Cameron sipping champagne hanging above the bar suggests it won't be celebrating the amount of money it made — but the people who Banksy tried to offer an alternative — anti-capitalist message to, will be. 

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