I've got more to say on this, later, but as the cinema, the Scenic and the lion cages / wall are all listed, cinema & Scenic at II* cages at II, and together they also form an important group showing the development of what Nick's research shows IS the oldest amusement park in UK, any development on site would have to have the listing, conservation and their setting taken into consideration.
Stuffing houses on site around them isn't likely to enhance the setting or help conserve seriously important heritage buildings and structures, so let's not get too concerned.
Let's also remember this was opening weekend. It was made very clear on Dreamland website and on displays that this is phased re-opening. When it was clear some rides weren't going to be ready, more were brought in. Anyone claiming the opening should have been postponed hasn't thought this through. I'd booked a pet hotel, and would have been hard to cancel, a Premier Inn at non refundable rate, and all the rest...I would have been pretty p**d off it suddenly told it was a no go... cancellation fees of entertainers and re-booking, if possible, paying wages to those not working, so much people haven't thought through.
There's more to Dreamland than the amusement park and there's a programme of other entertainment planned throughout the summer too.
http://www.dreamland.co.uk/eventsI paid £14.95 each for tickets, paid in advance via the website, and had a great day. Split that up among the rides and Wall of Death the Punch & Judy (free) and it was pretty remarkable value IMO. Last Punch & Judy show I saw recently (I'm a great puppet fan) cost a fiver each. How much is the Wall of Death as a stand alone attraction normally?
Hullabaloo was a sellout. There were local Margate people trying to get tickets on the day who couldn't. Given the quality of entertainment on offer AND the fact the rides were open for much of the evening, I recall saying goodbye to Dave Collard as he was still checking seat belts on the Jets, for those with stamina and the desire to have fun it was FANTASTIC value.
And I had no problems finding a lav, there were four in the building, a block of portables just outside it, and a bank of site Portlaoos.
I also went to the Grayson Perry exhibition at the Turner. The regeneration that's going on around the Turner, radiating out along the harbour arm, seafront, and the old town is remarkable. I'm sure it will be the same with Dreamland. Who knows, maybe the Arlington arcade will re-open with bijou shops and offerings. Better than the planned & thankfully binned Tesco!
Ferengi Rules of Acquisition: Rule 76. Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.