Dreamland Margate: General Discussion

[Kimberley]

Dreamland have uploaded a time lapse of the recent work that has started on the Scenic Railway, so far it appears to be mainly demolition, but still interesting to watch

 

[Sam]

Ahhhh! It's so satisfying to watch all the junk and crap that's been tacked onto the ride in recent years demolished and removed! It's like wiping a layer of thick dust off an old photograph and seeing what lies underneath un-obscured.

 

[Kimberley]

The Dreamland Trust have revealed their vision and brand of the new Dreamland on their Facebook page. I personally love the retro/minimalist look they have gone for

We're delighted to announce the vision and brand of a re-imagined Dreamland, ahead of our 2015 opening. The new Dreamland will be the vision of The Dreamland Trust in partnership with Thanet District Council and HemingwayDesign led by Wayne Hemingway MBE, Gerardine Hemingway MBE and Jack Hemingway. See the exciting new designs below to get a flavour of what Dreamland is going to look like!

 

[Craig]

I like! It's pretty much exactly what I envisioned it would be due to Wayne Hemingway's involvement, who has ran an up cycling festival up here in Darlington with similar retro branding in the last few years. The place could really be something else in terms of atmosphere, and it's a perfect time for something like this to launch considering how the 50's/60's look has become incredibly popular in recent years.

 

[Kimberley]

Here are a couple of interesting articles which coincide with the above

Dreamland in Margate 'in the right time and right place' to be a success says designer Wayne Hemingway as its revival plans are unveiled

Dreamland Trust in Margate unveils plans for iconic amusement park

"It is going to be a success because it is a great idea in the right time and right place."

 

[Jordan]

This looks really exciting! Looking forward to seeing this develop.

The Dreamland regeneration project is working on a total budget the same size as the marketing budget of Blackpool and Alton Towers.

I wouldn't shout that too loudly, neither park has much of a budget for anything at the moment

 

[Meat Pie]

This might interest some on here, Ian Driver a local Green Party councillor in Thanet, has been trying to raise alarm bells about the council's mismanagement of the Dreamland project and because of this, the likelihood that it won't open next year:

http://thanetgreencouncillor.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/dreamland-nightmare.html

 

[Kimberley]

Definitely interesting to read, especially as this hasn't been brought up in any articles I have come across! Still hoping that they can stay on target for a 2015 opening as I've been looking forward to it for ages :')

 

[Sam]

New newsletter! Here's the interesting bit kiddos.

NEW TIMBERS FOR THE SCENIC RAILWAY!
Such a buzz in the Dreamland Visitor and Learning Arcade this week when the new timbers for the Scenic Railway arrived in Margate.

Since our September newsletter, Dreamland’s 1920 Grade II*-listed Scenic Railway has been a hive of activity with design and build specialists, Topbond, removing the buildings and structures in, and around, the UK’s iconic historic thrill ride. Sections of the old timber have been removed (much of which is in a rotten state, and some we hope to salvage). The new wood has now been delivered to the Dreamland site.

The Dreamland Trust is working with Howard Griffin from the Kent School of Architecture to create a time lapse video of Dreamland’s evolution. Howard is uploading footage onto our YouTube channel each month. The first episode, shot two weeks ago, is now available to view, the second episode will be posted shortly - please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBUS6_s5dNw to watch this amazing transformation!

You can also follow The Dreamland Trust and Dreamland’s progress on facebook and twitter.

After reading the article that Thom posted about the Trust's refusal to bid to run the Dreamland site, I'm not really sure what their role is now...? It must be a bit awkward for them, having saved Dreamland and wanting to support it but being unhappy about the way it has been handled by the council...

Edit: they've posted them on Facebook.

I always forget how low and unassuming the Scenic is!

 

[Kimberley]

It really does look tiny compared to how I remember it when I last rode it

 

[Danny]

It really does look tiny compared to how I remember it when I last rode it

That's because you've grown significantly (although not too much, as you're still a shorty pants!)

 

[Kimberley]

The second time lapse video has been uploaded - some really nice photography in places

 

[Sam]

It's so weird to watch chunks of coaster just being cut out and lifted away wholesale!

 

[Kimberley]

Dreamland have received a grant of £1.8 million to refurbish the Grade II Listed Art Deco cinema

PM David Cameron: "By awarding £1.8m to Margate we'll be breathing new life into cinema site"

Prime Minister, David Cameron has released a statement after Margate was awarded a £1.8m grant to re-furbish Dreamland's Grade II Art Deco cinema.

He said: “Margate is the original British resort with a proud history in tourism. By awarding £1.8m to Margate, we’ll be breathing new life into the Art Deco cinema site – bringing it back to its former 1930’s glory - creating jobs for hardworking families, attracting new visitors and generating more trade for local businesses.

“This exciting new project for Margate is part of this Government’s long-term economic plan to help coastal communities reach their full potential and create new opportunities and a brighter future for the people living there.“

The grant monies, awarded by the Coastal Communities Fund, will be used to restore the original building facade back to its former glory. It will also be used to create a high quality restaurant within the building. The project will attract new visitors to the area, supporting local businesses and create 171 jobs.

Coastal Communities Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “Revitalising our seaside towns to be vibrant economies year-round is part of the government’s long-term economic plan.

“These projects will bring new business opportunities that create local jobs, boost the local economy and encourage flood protection.

“Our multi-million pound Coastal Communities Fund is helping over 100 innovative projects across the country fulfill their potential, stimulate the local economy and supporting over 10,000 jobs and almost 4,000 training places for young people.

Other towns to benefit from funding were Whitehaven and Littlehampton.

Work is also starting this week on the amusement park restoration, more specifically the refurbishment of the lower level of the cinema, and the Grade II Listed menagerie cages

Coombs to start on Dreamland restoration

Canterbury construction company Coombs begins work this week on the restoration of the Dreamland Heritage Amusement Park in Margate, Kent.

The contractor is familiar with the project having previously undertaken urgent works on the Dreamland Cinema in 2012.

The work will include the first stage in the refurbishment of the lower level of the main cinema building to facilitate the opening of the Park. The contract will also enable the stabilisation and future protection of the Grade II Listed menagerie cages.

Dreamland is considered to be the oldest-surviving amusement park in Great Britain. It was closed in 2006 and the site was earmarked for a housing development. After a six-year campaign the save the attraction as part of England’s seaside heritage, the newly formed Dreamland Trust secured £12m public funding to restore Dreamland, including its Grade II*-listed Scenic Railway, Grade II*-listed cinema complex and Grade II-listed menagerie cages.

Thanet District Council compulsorily-purchased the 16-acre site in September 2013 and work has now begun restoring the Scenic Railway and some of the historic rides.

Phase one of the refurbished amusement park is scheduled to re-open in 2015.

Coombs contracts manager Nick Bushell, who lives in Margate, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Coombs following our involvement with the urgent works to the Cinema building. We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Thanet District Council, The Dreamland Trust and Hemingway Design, and look forward to the reopening of Dreamland and the further regeneration of Thanet.”

Thanet District Council leader Iris Johnston added: “This is fantastic news and I am delighted to see the refurbishment of the cinema building progress. I am delighted that the listed menagerie cages, which are of such historical importance, will also benefit from specialist attention. The whole Dreamland project is one that has captured the imagination not only in Thanet but also nationally and it’s heartening to see this progress positively.”

Exciting stuff

Source 1
Source 2

 

[Kimberley]

Looks like the council have found an operator:

Thanet District Council has agreed a deal with Margate-based Sands Heritage Ltd, which subject to lease negotiations, would secure them as Dreamland's operator.

Award of the contract is subject to agreement of the lease terms which will be negotiated over the coming months.

The Board of Sands Heritage Ltd. is comprised of industry and financial professionals who can have experience with visitor attractions such as ZSL London Zoo, Kidzania and the new London Paramount Entertainment resort currently being planned in Kent.

Nick Conington, executive chairman of Sands Heritage Limited, is already a major investor in Margate through the Sands Hotel.

He said, “Sands Heritage Ltd. has a strong board in place with a huge array of visitor attraction/hospitality experience between us, and we’re all very excited to have agreed Heads of Terms for the operation of Dreamland. We feel privileged to be working alongside Thanet District Council and The Dreamland Trust to make the opening of Dreamland a reality for Thanet.’

Nick Laister, Chairman of The Dreamland Trust said, “The Dreamland Trust think it is fantastic that Thanet District Council have agreed Heads of Terms with a local operator with a very experienced board of professionals, who have been responsible for opening and running some of the UK’s most successful visitor attractions. This is a very exciting milestone in the story of Dreamland’s rebirth.”

Acting chief executive for Thanet District Council Madeline Homer said, "Securing the right operator to run the Dreamland amusement park is essential. The council has embarked on a rigorous process to progress this and agreeing Heads of Terms with Sands Heritage Ltd. is a significant step forward. There are still processes to follow, however we’re confident at this stage that what SHL have to offer is a great fit for opening a re-imagined Dreamland next year.”

The Council owns the Dreamland site following successful compulsory purchase and has been advertising for expressions of interest to operate the amusement park which runs until November, 21.

Interesting to hear that the company have links with the Paramount Park development! Addressing what Meat Pie posted earlier, I'm not sure if this will be a 35 or 100 year contract..

Source

 

[Sam]

Thank god it's not Merlin or another major ThemeParkCo.

 

[TheMan]

This seems good news! Don't know much about that business, but running this as a commercial but heritage based venture with a secure future. They'll hopefully pick up opportunities the Council themselves wouldn't, not without 50 meetings 60 gallons of tea and shares in McVities anyway.

 

[Kimberley]

Scenic Railway restoration update

So happy to see it's making good progress

 

[Sam]

Wow, new wood!

 

[Sam]

I always knew about the 'chair swing' that used to be at Margate but then moved to Lightwater and then to Loudoun.

But I had no idea until just now that when it was at Margate it was a completely different ride, built by Schwarzkopf.

How odd! To convert it from one type of ride to something completely different, what a weird thing to do!