Exhibition of Dreamland Proposals

[ricardobugsy]

I think this is a real winner! It would be certainly be quite a unique attraction for Margate and would appeal to people from all generations.

There is definitely a good market for old rides.
Take Carters Steam Fair for example - their collection of travelling vintage rides has to be the most successful travelling fair in the country.
They easily do more trade than most if not all modern travelling fairs.

[kevinashe]

the helter skelter with the bowl is on the plans do you think you will be able to get a helter skelter to match the bowl since bpb sold off the top also would there be room on site for a building to house all the funhouse apparatus from southport as this is stuff from a bygone era as well

[EAS]

Let's consider these plans are still a great way off, and let things run their course. No 1 plan is a proper amusement park.

The stuff is no longer in the Funhouse, and heaven knows where it is now.

[kevinashe]

i take it bpb was given a month to leave the site in which time they sold as much as they could to destroy any hope of the park reopening,any new of the river caves still being intact

[Lou]

Yes, the Heritage idea is wonderful,I am still hoping that the whole site will be saved.
Did anyone what the Tonight programme the other day about British Seaside Resorts. Amongst other areas it spoke about Southport, that 10 years ago it had been in decline but its fortunes have been reversed, it had 63 million invested from Europe and 70 million from investors,- money follows money. I believe the local council had a vision of what Southport could become
I think the main point was - Discover a UNIQUE selling point and push it.....The Dreamland Heritage idea is fantastic (and unique) - now lets push for the whole site

[EAS]

Southport? You mean the place where one of our oldest amusement parks has been trashed?

Sefton a vision? Don't make me laugh!

Not something to emulate really.

[Tony P]

Excellent Plan 'B'

However, let's not give in too soon. I think that we should still be pushing the owners & Margate council for ' the full monty' - The whole site returned to it's former glory, including a heritage section.

We must ensure - NO HALF MEASURES

[Lou]

Okay, i stand corrected, i did only catch a bit of the programme and no nothing about Southport, but it sounded like they were returning to Southport as it was, and making the most of their victorian architecture etc, etc.........obviously not. Sorry bout that...

[kevinashe]

i hope they have plenty parking for all the saga bus trips for classic southport cause they aint gonna get families

[vince69619]

Excellent Plan 'B'

However, let's not give in too soon. I think that we should still be pushing the owners & Margate council for ' the full monty' - The whole site returned to it's former glory, including a heritage section.

We must ensure - NO HALF MEASURES

At least someone other than myself has the same idea!

Nobody answered my post!

Vince.

[porterm]

Vince - I fully support your viewpoint regarding acreage reclamation too. If I'm understanding our current position correctly, I believe that Plan B has been created purely as an alternative "emergency" plan if the original "I Dream of Dreamland" fails.

However, what really concerns me somewhat is how the media could get Plan B twisted in their presentation of the situation. If handled incorrectly, it could then portray us as somewhat defeatist. Hopefully, the fat lady hasn't sung yet (and there's not even a faintest note to be heard). After all, Waterbridge's current two option plans are not fully authorised yet are they?

We've all been on this trip for quite a duration now and as I think I've stated a while ago, we only get one real chance to salvage Dreamland, and I believe a regenerated park should not be undersold. Dreamland's periferal buildings, like the former buffet building, in the left corner at the rear of the park, would presumably need to be included in any new park offering. (That's if I understand the site listings properly).

The glass is still half full.

Martin

PS Good to see the short item on Waterbridge's current plans on BBC News South East last night. (I called Meridian TV too yesterday so hope they also do a feature soon)

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I find it quite incredible that these plans are not even on the internet. Anyone would think that MTRG didn't actually want anyone to see them.

[kevinashe]

id like to ask a few questions not on the plans,on plan b what is the size of park that is going to be left compared to the size of the total park and who will run the park purely for space for saving of future rides and elegibility for lottery grants etc or will it be run as a private concern

[marky.com]

I haven't posted for a while, but just wanted to say that I do not support 'Plan B'. It looks, on the surface at least, to be a sellout and to go against the findings of the independent inspector and possible the campaign itself, in that the fact that provision has been given for the redevelopment of some areas of the park, could be offering weaponry that could backfire on the campaign.

The original 'I dream of Dreamland' plan was first class and based on the truth that anyone objective can see, which is that a quality, well-managed attraction as a centrepiece to a seaside town brings visitors, resulting in further investment throughtout the town. Whilst it's commendable to base a theme park around its heritage, the net result, in my opinion, is unimaginative and boring when compared to the original vision and may not bring in visitors in sufficient numbers. With the exception of the Scenic, it just isn't a very balanced looking park and is targetted at a very limited potential visitorship. It offers little when compared to Thorpe Park, Chessington, LegoLand or Adventure Island.

Margate is a beautiful seaside resort with miles of sandy beaches in easy reach of Kent and London, but simply does not have a reason for anyone to visit it. Southend-on-Sea has this reason with Adventure Island and with the addition of the Gerstlauer Eurofighter this season, has more reason than ever. 'Plan B' appears to lack the vision and excitement required to turn things around and I fear it could result in failure, that in turn could lead to complete redevelopment of the land.

That said, if partial redevelopment really is an inevitability, I feel 'Plan B' would be more effective if it were to contain a smaller version of the 'I Dream of Dreamland' plans - with no watering down of the excitement or diversity of the ride line-up or vision contained within it.

I feel the campaign has done sterling work and do not wish to criticise anyone involved, I just feel that the this is not the best way forward.

[dave771]

Without constantly repeating the same answers to the same questions may I suggest that you read the Press Release on the latest news page! It does state quite clearly our preffered option is still something along the lines of the 2005 concept plan but without the backing of the local authority after the inspectors recommendations to protect Dreamland as an amusement park we had to come up with a plan B.