Joyland Books

I have noticed that half of the old Tivoli arcade has opened as an amusement arcade called "Jimmy G's".

Given Mr Godden's history of bad luck in operating amusement arcades, I wonder whether this is something we ought to be concerned about.

I think as Dreamland is using the last gap for the Sky lift now he must be looking at making another gap for a road in to the site?

One thing which does occur to me is that it does seem a particularly half-arsed attempt to operate an amusement arcade. Traditionally, seaside amusement arcades have brightly lit facades, whereas "Jimmy G's" has a vinyl sign similar to that which would be used by an estate agent to advertise new flats for sale.



Apologies for the poor photo which I snatched, illegally of course, on my phone, will try to get a better one posted soon.

Incidentally, it's good to see that Thanet District Council are doing their bit for the environment, you wouldn't have been able to see a thing if that streetlight wasn't on at 4 p.m.

I hope that ridiculous sign is only temporary, but I doubt it, it is another Godden attempt to make an eyesore and laughing stock of Margate seafront.

The problem is, he is continually getting away with it. Hopefully one day ....

Here's my prediction.

Edited for obvious reasons, Dave

Oh, such a cynic!



Still, better to have the place in use, and that means insurance claims will be higher.

Seriously... is this is the Conservation Area? Is it even (like the building which fomerly stood on 'Godden's Gap') Listed? A Heritage Asset even...

Of so, then it's probable that consent was/is required for the sign.

Does JG still own the arcade that is in the cinema building as well? I thought that the arcade we are talking about was also burnt out a little while ago?
Im with you Vince i dare say it all fits in with his master plan to wreck Margate.

Can I remind all that the owner(s) of Dreamland are, and have been for a considerable time, working as committed partners with the Dreamland Trust and others on the future of the site, which includes the Heritage Amusement Park and II* listed cinema?

And if a previously closed premises is opening again, even if only half open, then surely A Good Thing for Margate?

EAS wrote:Can I remind all that the owner(s) of Dreamland are, and have been for a considerable time, working as committed partners with the Dreamland Trust and others on the future of the site, which includes the Heritage Amusement Park and II* listed cinema?

And if a previously closed premises is opening again, even if only half open, then surely A Good Thing for Margate?

Basically what you are saying is don't upset certain people because they might take thier ball away.

The fact that these people might have been instrumental in creating the situation we are now in and also were figures of hate on this site not to long ago is to be all forgotten, hmmm brown nosing is not really my style.

Nor mine, but it's also the case that things have moved on. I wonder how people think the campaign has got to the stage it has, with all working together? So why try to damage what is now a productive working relationship, which has been arrived at through hard work on the part of our campaign leaders and the Dreamland Trust? Would you prefer it if nothing was happening?

It's interesting that folks are moaning that something new has opened. I recall a great deal of moaning that things were closed.

I'm sure that some of the moaners will be very welcome to lease empty premises though, and start running businesses from them. It might make Margate a more attractive destination to pull in day visitors. I'm sure Mr G's will welcome some competition, keep it on its toes...

EAS wrote: Would you prefer it if nothing was happening?

You may have a better view of things from the North, but to us in Margate, it appears that nothing *is* happening, except that a building which would be strategically important as an entrance to a site redeveloped as housing is now being operated by somebody who has suffered serious but serendipitous fires at at least four of his other amusement ventures, all of which stood in the way of his development plans.

Well, I don't think the Dreamland Trust is in any way able to control what is happening outside the Dreamland site, and how many years has it taken the bloody hard work of Nick and co to get the campaign to the stage where people are now employed to drive this forward?

It won't be rapid, but things are happening. And some of it is about winning hearts and minds. But there is so much to do and surely campaign members can see that? Moaning on this forum must be really demoralising to read for Nick and everyone.

Wish I had booked for the conference, wonder if there are places left? How good to see that seaside heritage is at last being taken seriously as an academic discipline.

I'm sure we must be using different definitions of the word "moaning", but in any event I am sure Nick is quite capable of addressing any points raised here without becoming demoralised. This is an internet forum, not the 1950's Soviet Union and we are not all required to acquiesce obediently and unquestioningly to some dogma or other.

I personally do not think that the owners of Dreamland are in any way committed to Dreamland re-opening and this is general local opinion in Thanet. We, of course, know Mr Godden better than most.

I'm not in any way naive, but I also think that it might be better to allow people to get on with it instead of forum demands for instant solutions.

I also hope that Blackpool gets some sort of protection, heaven knows I've nagged EH about it along with others

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/th ... 41439.html

But there has been no such demand. In fact, there has been no demand for anything at all, I have merely pointed out that a strategically important seafront arcade is now being operated by Jimmy Godden, and that Mr Godden has a history of bad luck with respect to arson attacks.