The future is looking bright again for Dreamland.
Plans to create the world’s first heritage amusement park on the famous Margate site have surged forward with the news that it will be getting £3.7 million from the Government’s Sea Change fund.
The Minister for Tourism, Margaret Hodge, was in Margate on Monday to mark the approval of the grant.
The money, the largest amount allocated in the latest wave of funding, should help create a new theme park on the Dreamland site.
Rides rescued from other amusement parks will also be restored and reassembled at Dreamland.
Some are the last surviving examples of their type.
The rides will be built around the centrepiece of the park, the Scenic Railway, the UK’s oldest surviving wooden roller-coaster.
Much of it was destroyed in a fire in April last year, but restoration will be carried out.
The distinctive fin-shaped Grade II-listed Dreamland cinema building will also be rejuvenated.
Ms Hodge said she had fond memories of visits to Dreamland as a child.
“I remember coming to Dreamland for a day at the seaside as my family and I lived in Orpington,” she said.
“What I remember most was the roller-coaster – it was really big and also I remember the ghost train and eating candyfloss.
“This would have been in the mid-50s and it was always busy but also a great day out.
“Seeing it like this, I can see how Sea Change can bring it back to life as a heritage site.”
Of the Sea Change scheme, she said: “The whole purpose of this programme is about regenerating our seaside towns.
“A lot of them are run-down because of the changing pattern for holidays and trips away.
“But this cash is using culture to regenerate and that is always something I have been at the forefront of.”
The Dreamland project involves the Margate Renewal Partnership, The Dreamland Trust, site owner the Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company and Thanet council, which submitted the application.
The feasibility work to develop the bid was also supported by Kent County Council, SEEDA, English Heritage and Arts Council England.
The Dreamland Trust has already secured a first-round pass of £548,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding, with 10 per cent match-funding from Thanet council.
Nick Laister, chairman of The Dreamland Trust, said: “This is fantastic news and yet another very positive step to delivering this world-first visitor attraction.
“This proposal has the ability to create an outstanding 21st-century attraction at Margate, capitalising on the resort’s unique heritage in a way that will make a huge contribution to the regeneration of the town.”
POSTED: 16/11/2009 09:31:26
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: