Mechanical Memories Magazine

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I set out the positive impact that an amusement park can have on a seaside resort.
I used the example of Adventure Island at Southend-on-Sea, which opened in
1998. At Southend, surrounding tourism businesses all responded to the
investment in a successful amusement park by investing in their own facilities. I
explained that the changes in the overall appearance of Southend's seafront area
since it opened had been marked and that the fortunes of the town had been
completely turned around by the continued investment in the amusement park
over this period.
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Although the park had been run down over recent years, I presented evidence that
demonstrated that the park would not only be viable under a committed owner,
but could be the focus of the town's regeneration. I also presented evidence that
showed that similar sized parks in other towns, with broadly the same size of
catchment area, were thriving and drawing many more visitors than Dreamland. I
also drew attention to Southend-on-Sea, which has an amusement park on the
main seafront area, which is smaller than Dreamland, and which has been
upgraded over the last few years. This investment has resulted in a huge increase
in visitors to both the park and the town as a whole, and the business is very
profitable.
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I presented evidence on the heritage of the Dreamland site, which is unique in this
country and should therefore be protected for the benefit of the town as a whole.
The Scenic Railway roller coaster was the UK's oldest operating roller coaster
and is considered to be of international importance. It is of note in terms of listed
buildings policy that the Scenic Railway is viable as a stand-alone attraction.
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I also explained that there was interest from established amusement park
operators in acquiring and investing in the park. I presented a significant amount
of evidence on this. I had (and still have) no doubt that Dreamland could not only
survive, but also prosper, under one of these interested operators. I stated that
there was absolutely no reason why Margate should lose its biggest tourist
attraction, as long as planning policies continued to protect it for this use.
Dreamland reopened in July 2004 and operated through the main holiday season. It
was again operated by David Wallis, but this year he also operated the Scenic Railway
as part of the park, having seen it successfully operated the previous year by Mr
Collard. This again was evidence that the park was viable. It was another very good
season for the park, albeit with the ride count gradually decreasing as rides were sold
off.
On 3 rd September 2004, towards the end of the 2004 season, the Isle of Thanet
Gazette featured an interview with David Wallis, which again provided evidence of
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