dreamland will reopens at Easter

[darkrichard]

iv just been read the isle of thanet extra

Dreamland to open for the holidays

Margate will enjoy all the fun of the fair when Dreamland reopens at Easter.
Many residents feared that the park would be closed thoughout the summer as doubts over it long - term future remain.
This week George Webb and his family, who have run travelling fairs around UK and have involved in the leisure industry for generations, comfirmed that they will open the park at Easter.
Mr Webb said: i can assure the people of Thanet and visitors to the area that Dreamland will be open for the Easter holidays.
Some rides have already arrived at the 16- acre park and others are expected in coming weeks.
The operators are planning a mix of white knuckle thrills and family attractions, childerns rides and traditional sideshows and stalls.
Mr Webb said The park may not be completely full of attractions when we open at easter but within weeks I aim to have it packed and readty for the main season.
Scenic railway
We also planning a staged area to attract people into special events.
The Scenic Railway ,one of the oldest wooden rollercosters in the the world, will be one of the star attractions. And the rides holds a special meaning for Mr Webb.
It is a great old fairground favourite and i woked on it for four months last year in all weathers helping restore it he said.
I have a real affection for the ride.
The Webbs say that they have agreed a three season deal with the park owners and are also considering out of season themed nights.
Admission to the park will be free with tokens on sale for each ride.
The Webbs are planning a high -profile advertising campaign in the London area to draw crowds from the capital back to the seaside for days out.
Margate Mayor Cllr Mick Tomlinson , who has worked closely with Dreamland for 50 years said: This is great news for the town .
Margate really needs the presence of Dreamland to underpin its tourism, and the commitments by the Webb family is good for the area. Hopefully, it will attract lots of visitors from out of the area and they will spend time to find out more about the town and Thanet in general.

[Neil]

This is definately great news (and no doubt Bob will now pop up and try and quote me out of context). Free admission and a "high -profile advertising campaign in the London area" should definately improve things. Clearly to expect day trippers to visit Dreamland instead of Adventure Island, Legoland, Chessington, Thorpe Park and Diggerland will not be easy. But they have done it before and with a more committed operator surely they can do it again. So perhaps the trailor agentbob saw was for a ride? I notice it advertises the site as 16 acres so I assume they are counting both sides of the 'fency' as being the Dreamland we'll have this summer.

With only a couple of weeks to go me thinks we could have a very excitting time ahead. This makes me more determined than ever to make sure the fence is removed quickly (certainly before the summer) so Dreamland has the best chance possible. That big barrier would certainly detract from the image I'm sure George Webb would like.

[jmace9]

All i can say is if this is true this has to be the BEST news i have heard for many years and i hope this will prove Dreamland is viable but i must say it seems to good to be true.


John

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

There's no reason why Dreamland shouldn't be retained. Turning the area into housing and shopping is a poor idea.
All it offers is short term jobs and a few happy inhabitants with a seaside dwelling. What will bring in money? Where will these people work? Certianly there are other places on Thanet where this can be done. If the council thinks the district is in blight now, wait until 10 years when it's overpopulated with no jobs and nothing to bring tourists or entertain the people who live there.

With the right mix of attractions, there's no reason even locals shouldn't want to pop over to Dreamland for a quick bite to eat and a couple rides. It could be the ultimate evening experience. Add some brilliant little cafe's to the mix and have a sunset and a salad in the presence of the Scenic Railway.

Someone needs to find the resources to get the plan to revamp Dreamland under way. All that hideous pavement needs to be torn up, the facades of the retained buildings improved (not tacky repaints, but real improvements. You get what you pay for). This isn't going to happen by magic. What needs to be recognized is that a very large and wealthy company owns the land now, and all us little people can't stave that off for long.
The locals need to start actively finding not only someone to run Dreamland, but to INVEST in it. I'm doing what I can by calling out the Council on their poor vision and exposing the holes in the local plan, but I'm half way around the world and can only do so much.

Isn't there government grant money for such projects?

[Nick]

The locals need to start actively finding not only someone to run Dreamland, but to INVEST in it. I'm doing what I can by calling out the Council on their poor vision and exposing the holes in the local plan, but I'm half way around the world and can only do so much.

Isn't there government grant money for such projects?

The problem we have is not a lack of people who want to run and invest in Dreamland, it is the value of the land. Because the council is allowing (in their Local Plan) other forms of development, the land is worth far too much for any amusement park operator to buy. There needs to be development on the land to for the current owners to get any sort of return on their considerable investment. Sadly, this is a situation largely created by a fairly inept local council. This has been pretty much confirmed by an independent government inspector's report, who had harsh words about the council's policy for the site.

It would be pointless for the campaigners to attempt to raise money to acquire Dreamland because we would never get a return on our investment. We would have to pay the prices created by the speculative interest in the site, meaning we would be in the same trap as Waterbridge (i.e. we would need to secure retail and residential development, with some commercial leisure). Plus, of course, we wouldn't have a clue how to run an amusement park. I would prefer to leave that to the experts, like Philip Miller!

Nick

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Hi.
Yes, I'm aware of the changed value of the property since it was OK'd for development by the council. Definitely the main problem.
I reviewed much of Thanet's plan. It's ill conceived and doesn't really seem to address the future.

This is where national government needs to get involved. It may be your only hope of finding the money that's needed.
Perhaps the government could make up the difference in what an operator could pay or issue a tax break to the owner for the loss.

In the grand scope (could be several years unless a definite action is taken), the value should go down once it becomes certian that the land can't be redeveloped. That could be several years. In the meantime and as time passes, the current owner will fight harder and harder to get it developed.

THE COUNCIL made that decision and now they need to be pressured into reversing it. Yes, too bad for the owner. They can afford to take a hit and sell at a loss. Big companies do it all the time.

I'm not sure how it works over there, but council meetings are open here. Government for the people, by the people. A strong presence at council meetings is what's needed. If meetings are closed to the public, you still need to gather outside and insist that a representative be heard. Keep in mind that big companies can and will pad the council to favor their interest.

[RowBot]

hmmm well sure seems Mr Webb wants to run the park but so we thought about that last season and I have to say that didn't get use anywhere. If Mr Webb does have a successfull season then it would definitly show TDC that Dreamland is viable but I'm not sure if Waterbridge want this. Of coruse the main problem for Mr Webb is trying to do all this advertising and getting the park set up in so little time.

Nick by any chance are we going to offer assistance in anyway to Mr Webb on getting the park ready? I know we attempted last year but apparently we never done such a thing (offer that is)

[Neil]

This is where national government needs to get involved. It may be your only hope of finding the money that's needed.
Perhaps the government could make up the difference in what an operator could pay or issue a tax break to the owner for the loss.

A tax break would be out of the question as it would set a dangerous precedent and at the moment the government is under pressure to increase spending on health, education etc. To start giving such tax breaks would cause a national scandle

Again I don't think the government would consider making up the difference as people don't see that as being what taxes are for. At the end of the day Jimmy Godden bought the park at the going rate for an amusement park and I don't see why the new owners should get away with being greedy and take a lot more. Again none of us want any such precedents set as it would encourage other park owners use it has a ploy to make a mint. None of us particularly like either Jimmy Godden or Waterbridge and they should have enough money, it is up to the Council to work for the greater good of the people.

Again I've tried getting National government involved, but it wasn't to be for a number of reasons. The long and the short of it seems to be that at the moment a lot depends on Thanet District Council and short circuiting the Conservatives won't be that easy (although there are other routes that are already being looked at).

[Chris H]

Will it just be Mr Webb and sons running the theme park this year or will he be running the theme park for Mr Ayers again.

[DN]

Wonderful news, lets hope this year it gets off to a good start

I would certainly be up for being involved in any help should it be required

Fingers crossed for a good season

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Well, it's still good news for a year. Maybe 3.
The longer they sit on that land, the more they'll be itching to ditch it, even at a loss.
Especially if the council changes it's use parameters.

This is what the locals need force the council to do, or hold them at bay until they can be removed or voted out.

[RowBot]

Well still must be missing the big point here or something because what ever happens it's not going to successfull since its on loan and even Mr Webb won't put the money needed to make it work (once again other season of a Travelling Fair what puts the park down even more!). Personnally if he's advertising for rides then how can he for one be sure that they will be there all season and two, there will still be no difference than before apart from more advertised.
Then again surpose if it does work then good for him and us since it will show the park is viable.


Ian

Ps tell ya what I wouldn't come from london for a travelling fair!

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

This is why it's imperative to restore the grounds and add a few really good cafes.
It's going to depend on being a really nice afternoon and evening destination for locals as well as families coming to spend the day.
3 or 4 really happening eateries and a little live muisic mixed into a parklike setting would be the gem of Planet Thanet (thanks to a local for letting me in on that).

[mattchewmann]

does anyone have pictures of the trailers or new rides being installed for the easter to september opening season, me and me mates wana come visit, plz post pics asap PLZ...

[dave771]

i have no idea where the press are getting the idea there are trailers on the park, there is one trailer by the fence at the top end of the Scenic but other than a couple of machines digging in front of the Scenic there has been no activity as yet.