Margate's Dreamland dreams come true
NEARLY £4 million of government money will help transform the empty Dreamland site into a theme park again.
The £3.7 million grant, the largest of its kind for a seaside town from the government’s Sea Change programme for revitalising coastal towns, will pay for historic rides and the restoration of the Scenic Railway. Organisers hope the rides, saved from other parks around the country, could be ready to thrill the public again by 2011.
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Dreamland wil be returned to its former glory following a government grant
The money will also be used to the renovate of the seafront’s Dreamland Cinema, and will turn the area into a celebration of British popular and youth culture.
Nick Laister, chairman of The Dreamland Trust which is putting together the project, said: “This is fantastic news and is yet another very positive step to delivering this world-first visitor attraction.”
Experts in architecture CABE and English Heritage have already backed the project.
Mr Laister added: “We are very pleased that CABE and English Heritage share our view, and that of the people of Margate, that this proposal has the ability to create an outstanding 21st century attraction at Margate, capitalising on the resort’s unique heritage in a way that will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the town.”
The grant money will be added to the more than £500,000 already raised from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Thanet council, which put together this bid.
The full set of plans for the park is available online at www.thisismargate.co.uk.
Don’t miss Friday’s Isle of Thanet Gazette for the full story and reaction. On sale Friday.
6 Comments
by mark green, london
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:48PM
“great to hear about dreamland re-opening. it's not the same without it. i went every year as a child and many times since. it's what made margate margate. it ws the biggest attracton for many years and it will be again, thats for sure. p.s. will there be any job vacancies for dreamland for 2011 because i would be very interested.”
by Trevor Darbyshire, Birchington
Monday, November 23 2009, 6:42PM
“Are we not trying to re-live the good old days gone by?
Should we really be trying to rebuild Thanet on nostalgia, and buying up theme park throw aways that have also had their day. For a short while it will have interest, but in the long term it will just wither and die. Not only that, after you have purchased your kiss me quick hat, do you then walk down the road and take in the culture and sophistication at the Turner Centre?”
by Craig, Margate
Wednesday, November 18 2009, 7:10PM
“Sorry Mr Merideth and Mr Pink but I have to say "stuff you" and agree with Skeptik ....being one myself !!!”
by richard meredith, huntingdon
Tuesday, November 17 2009, 9:10PM
“Can I be honest here? It's wonderful that Margate gets this money but is it really the purpose of tax payers cheques to promote this scheme at this time.
I can think of a dozen tourist attractions near me that need money but will not get it because Brownite Government has reduced everything to a lottery.
Margate needed to rebuild and create a new town but that is a local authority job and towns that revive tend to do so when manufactering and industry are at the heart of local regeneration.”
by Andrew Pink, Snodland, Kent
Monday, November 16 2009, 10:09PM
“As a child I spent several holidays in Cliftonvile between 1955 and 1965. I loved Margate because of many reasons such as: the lovely cleans beaches, the pier, the Lido, the Lido Swimming pool, the Aruarium, the caves, all the amusements on the seafront, the Cinema, all the lovely little B & B's and of course Dreamland. Now the beach is covered in stinking seaweed which attracts swarms of flies, the caves are closed, the pier has gone, the Lido is in ruins, the Aquarium is gone, the lovely lttle B & B's are gone, the toilets are usually unusable in the Summer by midday, the streets in the area are filthy. I feel it will take more than restoring half a Dreamland to reinstate poor old Margate! Unfortunately. Come on get the rest cleaned up!”
by skeptik, Broadstairs
Monday, November 16 2009, 1:57PM
“This is brilliant news for Margate and for Thanet. At last, something that really does work with Margate's heritage. I can't wait to see it finished - well done to those involved with achieving progress so far, and good luck for the rest of it!”