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Campaign to Save UK Amusement Park Gains Momentum
In the UK, the Save Dreamland Campaign is gaining momentum with Campaign Leader Nick Laister set to represent the cause as an expert witness at the Dreamland public inquiry next week. Campaigners hope to save Dreamland, one of Britain's most famous seaside amusement parks, located in Margate, and closed since October 2003. The inquiry will be held on 29 June 2004 before an independent Government-appointed inspector, and will consider the future of the park and its famous ride – the Scenic Railway. Mr Laister said he would be representing the Campaign at the inquiry, with advocacy for the Campaign from Susan Marsh MBE. "Our proofs of evidence have already been submitted, and we are more than ready for the fight!" Mr Laister said. "We are armed with lots of useful information that will help our case for saving Dreamland and its most famous ride. In the various reports and articles I have written about the future of Dreamland, I have always used Southend's Adventure Island Theme Park as an example of what Dreamland could be like if it was run by a committed operator," said Mr Laister. "I was therefore both surprised and delighted when the Campaign was approached by Philip Miller, the owner of Adventure Island, saying that he was going to make a bid for Dreamland. He had the park independently valued by a leading property surveying company, and offered full market value for the park. Unfortunately it was turned down," Mr Laister said.
"Thankfully Philip hasn't given up, and we have been working closely with him over the past few months doing everything we can to help him. Philip has turned around Southend-on-Sea's fortunes with continued investment in new rides at Adventure Island. He has now pretty much run out of space and needs a new, bigger challenge. Having witnessed the massive change at Southend over the past ten years, I really believe Philip can do the same for Margate. Philip has pledged to retain and fully restore the Scenic Railway as part of a completely redeveloped modern family theme park, as well as investing £10 million on new rides and attractions straight away. I, for one, would be very excited to see what Philip can do with a park the size of Dreamland!" In response to questions about the financial viability of the Scenic Railway, Dave Collard, brakeman for the ride told Mr Laister that the Scenic Railway itself, which was run as a concession last year, actually made a profit, even taking into account maintenance, staff and insurance. "So the ride could even pay for itself if Dreamland was no longer in existence (which we hope will not be the case)," Mr Laister said. The inquiry is open to the public to view and is being held at Thanet District Council's offices.
PICTURED: THEN - Dreamland in its successful era, under the ownership of the Dutch Bembom Brothers 1981-1995, drew 2 million visitors per year. NOW - Dreamland 2004, many of the rides have now disappeared, but the Scenic Railway still stands, waiting hopefully for a new operator to take over.
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