Eddie Kemsley Project Director The Dreamland Trust
Since the invention of the steam train Londoners have been escaping to Margate for more than 200 years for the laidback seaside vibe, breath-taking sandy beaches, fresh sea air and romantic Turner skies..
But.cheap air fares in the 1970 s destroyed domestic tourism to the British Seaside
Margate s Decline 1967 Last steamer service to Margate 1968 Dreamland sold by original owners 1970 In the 60s Margate had 2 million visitors a year but in the 70s there was a marked decline. Expensive promotional film created narrated by Michael Aspel failed to reverse the decline. 1978 Margate jetty destroyed in a storm 1996 Royal Sea Bathing Hospital closes 2002 Dreamland Scenic Railway listed as Grade 11 2003 Dreamland closed and visitors to Margate dwindled away
Margate Wish you weren t here
Regeneration through creativity, culture and connectivity
People create regeneration through creativity which becomes the culture embodied in visitor attractions
Culture was identified as the catalyst for change and links Margate s heritage of artists, writers and musicians who have long been drawn here. Turner said Margate had the loveliest skies in all Europe and now Tracey Emin declares in pink neon on Margate seafront: I never stopped loving you.
With culture at the heart of the strategy this lead to the Turner Contemporary gallery opening in 2011
Despite Margate being south east you can go in Britain, almost touching mainland Europe its now only 75 minutes from central London, high-speed trains are connecting a new generation to the original seaside.
Margate celebrates is past with a retro feel amplified by 18 th and 19 th century architecture, classic seaside heritage and kitsch, eclectic attractions and live arts and music venues. The Old Town has a variety of independent places to shop, eat, drink and stay.
British Vogue August 2014 http://www.merino.com/fashion/vogue/enduring-love/
Dreamland s Heritage
Dreamland was one the UK s best loved amusement parks attracting up to 2.5 million visitors per year in 1960 s
Dreamland s origins date back to the British railway boom of the 1860s. Famous circus impresario, Lord George Sanger, took over the site in 1873
Entertainment entrepreneur, John Henry Iles, bought the site in 1919 Iles spent the next 15 years developing Dreamland
The introduction of the Scenic Railway brought half a million visitors to Margate in just 13 weeks.
The arrival of a 2,200 seat super-cinema on Margate s seafront in 1934 became the new façade and entrance to Dreamland
Dreamland s continuing success through the 1940s and 1950s
Dreamland became an arena for emerging youth culture through the 1960s and 70s
1980 s Bembom Brothers took ownership before the slow demise of Dreamland in the 1990 s and early 2000 s
Land owners announced redevelopment plans in 2003
An arson attack on the Scenic Railway in 2008 destroyed the track, cars and railway station
The Save Dreamland campaign was born and lasted10 years, love for the amusement park by locals protected Dreamland and her heritage assets 1920 Grade II* listed Scenic Railway c1880 Grade II listed Lord George Sanger s menagerie cages 1935 Grade II* listed Cinema building
Current situation
Current condition of Dreamland s Grade II* listed cinema building lower ground floor