New website/Work starts on the Cinema building

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

...and just in case it wasn't clear, sweetheart...

[vann98]

Sorry this may be a really stupid question I dont know
But what exactly are you planning on doing to the outside of the ballroom and cinema building now scaffholding is up?

Also does anyone know if work has re started now the new year has arrived?

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

I can probably handle this.
I'm sure work is being done to stabilize the facades of the building/s in preparation for paint. Also, scaffolding allows for close inspection of windows, doors, ventilation equipment, signage, etc.
Seaside buildings require regular maintenance and we all know these duties have been somewhat-to-blatantly neglected the last several years.

I don't believe any major changes are being made to the cinema. Any newer or false facades and/or non original adornment would be subject to possible removal on the cinema or ballroom, though, especially if it's not in good condition.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Love the picture on the front page. Better times, and new better times on the way.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

The new website is a nice read.
If you haven't checked it out, you should.

[manofkent]

Have been away from forum for a while so am just catching up with news of work having started on the cinema building. My interest is, and always has been, the organ. What are the plans for that?

[vann98]

^ I think they plan to restore it to how it was and put it back in the cinema. Iam not too 100% sure though.

Iam glad to see more work has been carried out on the cinema building.
You can hardly see it as it all seems to be buried in scafolding.
Now that job is allmost complete, what will be the next step?

[THE ORIGINAL LOOPING STAR]

A little off topic but still along the general cinema lines.

I remember there being a second cinema in Margate. It was in the main town just up from, but on the opposite side to what was or still is McDonalds.

I seem to remember it having closed down or being closed when I last went to see a film.

What happened to it ?

I can still remember going to watch one of the Police Acadmey films there.

I loved that cinema it was proper old style !

I seem to remember aswell one guy doing everything but play the film. He was in the box office selling tickets and sweets, selling ice creams at the inerval, showing people to seats when the film started.

Totally unique.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

A little off topic but still along the general cinema lines.

I remember there being a second cinema in Margate. It was in the main town just up from, but on the opposite side to what was or still is McDonalds.

I seem to remember it having closed down or being closed when I last went to see a film.

What happened to it ?

Cinema de Luxe opened on 15th February 1915. Seating was stalls and circle.

Renamed to Plaza Cinema in January 1930, it closed several times in 1984! The first closure came on January 14th 1984 with the film 'Jaws 3-D' but it reopened for the summer season before closing again in September 1984. From October 7th 1984 to December 21st 1984 the cinema showed 'adult films'. It reopened for summer seasons from 1985 to 1987 before in 1988 the cinema projection equipment was taken away.

From 1988 to 2009 the cinema was used as a church for the New Christian Fellowship, however they moved out in 2009

I seem to remember that a large amount of masonry fell off of it once, about 10 years ago I suppose, narrowly missing several people.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

It's fairly easy to put a movie theater back into use with digital projection equipment, especially small to medium sized auditoriums.
Of course, projection equipment would need to be located for actual film stock, but often collectors of such equipment can locate and install it.

[vann98]

From the newsletter its great to hear that work SHOULD be starting on restoring the scenic in the coming weeks. Does this mean we have someone to carry out the work on the railway?

[Nick Evans]

Golly, I didn't know the old Plaza was empty these days! I can remember queueing up for some distance with friends to watch Grease there one summer's evening in 1978. Cinema was past its prime then but still made for a decent night out at the flicks.

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

As we're on cinemas, anyone remember this, in Ramsgate?

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

From the newsletter its great to hear that work SHOULD be starting on restoring the scenic in the coming weeks. Does this mean we have someone to carry out the work on the railway?

No announcement has been made so I presume not at the moment, but it should not be difficult to find a company who will do it as it is a fairly straightforward wooden construction. Given a year do it and the tools and materials, I'm quite sure Dave771 and myself could re-build the Scenic Railway on our own.

I'm sure there will be plenty of announcements made over the coming weeks and months, the mood locally now about Dreamland is more positive than I have known it for many, many years.

[dave771]

That photo makes me feel old Vince as I remember it. Lovely building but unfortunately now it is Iceland. As far as the Scenic Rebuild is concerned, the TDC website shows details of tenders for it. Tenders must be in by close of business on the 28th of February with work starting mid March.