Amusement park designs go on show

Designs for a £12m heritage amusement park in an east Kent seaside town are to go on show for the first time.

The park will be will be built on the former Dreamland site in Margate.

Organisers hope the Grade II-listed Scenic Railway, which was badly damaged in an arson attack in April 2008, will be the park's highlight.

Part of the funding for the project has been secured from grants by the Dreamland Trust, which administers the Save Dreamland Campaign.

Plans for the "thrilling theme park from the past" will go on show on Sunday. There will also be a a presentation of old film footage of Dreamland and the Scenic Railway.

Nick Laister, chairman of Dreamland Trust, said they had appointed "specialist advisers who are starting to bring our dreams to reality", with work possibly starting later this year ready for a 2012 opening.

"We think it will be a great success and will play a transformational role in the regeneration of Margate"
Nick Laister

He said the park would feature amusement park rides, many being the last surviving examples of their type rescued by the Save Dreamland Campaign from recently-closed parks.

Mr Laister said it would not be a collection of "gentle old travelling fairground rides".

"Dreamland will recreate a large, thrilling permanent seaside amusement park, of the sort that could be found around the coast of Britain throughout most of the last century, but has now largely disappeared," he said.

"It will be an authentic traditional seaside amusement park experienced in its correct location.

"We think it will be a great success and will play a transformational role in the regeneration of Margate."

The plans have been supported by Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company, Margate Renewal Partnership and the Prince's Regeneration Trust.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Save Dreamland Campaign
Thanet District Council
Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company
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