Miller IS to take on Dreamland!

[Zoidstar]

If the stories that are spreding like wildfire arround Southend are true Phillip Miller is getting Dreamland.

The story doing the rounds is that he plans to intriduce rides much like those at Southend, and larger rides rember that the Log Flume is about to depart Southend...

He has very big plans in the pipe line not all in Southend...

[Strongbow55]

If the stories that are spreding like wildfire arround Southend are true Phillip Miller is getting Dreamland.

The story doing the rounds is that he plans to intriduce rides much like those at Southend, and larger rides rember that the Log Flume is about to depart Southend...

He has very big plans in the pipe line not all in Southend...

its all bull sh** The webbs have a 3 year lease on dreamland as could be seen on meridian news last night

[Neil]

As Stong Bow says it doesn't fit what what we know, but I guess it's useful to know what the word on the street is. I guess things like this are potentially damaging. If peeps thinks that the park is definately going to be saved, it's less likely that they will want to put effort into the campaign.

It seems that there's a bit of a stale mate at the moment. Philip Miller won't match the money Waterbridge want (and rightly so), but Waterbridge won't sell for less when they think they can get more for other developments.

I guess it's highly unlikely now that we will pursuade leading conservative councillors to change sides so lets hope that the secretary of state gets involved. I know that some people are hoping that the Conservatives will get voted out at the next Council elections, but the way national politics are going at the moment this seems to be a bit of a long shot, although I guess it's possible. If the secretary of state doesn't get involved then perhaps we need to focus on Conservative councillors below the top level. Anyhow I doubt Waterbridge will be ready to sell just yet.

[mattchewmann]

If waterbridge sold off Dreamland would the lease end?

[troy]

In all fairness, true rumour or not, the Webbs having a 3 year lease is of no consequence. Everything has a price ! . If the Webbs have a good year then it may be a little higher, if a bad year, they may want to get shot .

[Zoidstar]

Just watch this space is all i am saying

[stuart]

Just watch this space is all i am saying

I'm liking the optimism but i'm not holding my breath.

I drove past Dreamland the other day after a visit to Thorpe (when Stealth was closed ) and got carried away with my imagination

In my minds eye there was a stunning B&M coaster sitting in the far left corner where the caravans currently are!!

[Nick]

I spoke to Philip Miller only two days ago and I can confirm this report is not true. Philip entertained councillors a few weeks ago and, by all reports, this was a great success. This has been well covered in the press, and it is clear that the council were very impressed with what they saw.

I think this has shown the council that - in the right hands - Dreamland could be a hugely popular all-year-round destination.

I am still hopeful that a solution will be found.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

At least we had some lively conversation about it.
It seems like a big waiting game, now that the park is open, to see what happens next.

[Scotchie]

From tomorrows Kent on Sunday:-

A LEADING funfair boss from
Essex has warned against turning
Dreamland amusement park
into housing.
Millionaire Philip Miller, owner of
Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea, is
interested in redeveloping the ageing
Margate attraction, and said its current owners
should think carefully before offering it
up for housing.
He said: “I think Thanet will be missing a
trick if they do not make use of Dreamland.
“There are lots of places you can build
houses on, you don’t have to put it where a
famous amusement park has stood for nearly
90 years.”
Housing
Dreamland, built in 1920, was once one of
Britain’s most famous seaside amusement
parks, and is home to the country’s oldest
operating roller coaster – the Grade-II Scenic
Railway.
But in January, 2003, owner Jimmy Godden
sold it to Margate Town Centre Regeneration
Company (MTCRC) for redevelopment,
retaining a 40 per cent share for himself.
Since then, no decision has been made on
whether the site will stay as a fun park or be
used for housing or other developments.
Managing director of MTCRC Toby Hunter
said the company is currently consulting
with members of the public to “establish
what the best facilities for Margate are”.
Mr Miller said he was willing to buy the
site, on the basis that it is a derelict amusement
park, for £3.5 million.
He said: “I am very interested in developing
Dreamland, but nothing is happening
about it at the moment. It is not up to me.
“The offer is there and if someone wants to
gives me the go ahead, I will be straight
down there.”
He added: “Amusement parks can make a
huge difference to a town.
“Southend was really in the doldrums
when we started out, but the park has really
helped the whole area.
“The biggest attraction in Blackpool is the
Pleasure Beach – this is what the tourists
come for.”
Mr Hunter said he has not received any
offer from Mr Miller, and said he could not
comment on whether or not he thought keeping
the amusement park was viable.
He said: “I do not know if it is viable or not,
I have some people saying it isn’t and some
people saying it is.
“This is the purpose of the public consultation,
to see what people want.”
He added: “I am more than happy to meet
Mr Miller to discuss any offer he would like
to make.”
The park opened for business again this
summer under a temporary operator, with
fairground rides replacing the old rides that
have been sold on.
Last week, Hollywood actor Orlando
Bloom, who grew up in Canterbury, spoke of
his fondness for Dreamland, and in particular,
the old Looping Star rollercoaster.