If you have ever been to Margate, or know anything about the seaside town, you will have heard of Dreamland. It is a really fun place that was featured in the BBC sitcom classic “Only Fools And Horses” when they had their “Jolly Boys Outing” to Margate.
The amusement park has been in Margate for many years, and has entertained families for generations with its fun rides and entertaining side shows. A day out to Margate is never complete unless you go to Dreamland.
The Administrators Are In
The bad news is that Dreamland has been experiencing financial difficulties over the last few years. The number of visitors has fallen for all kinds of reasons, and the amusement park now finds itself in administration.
It is not all bad news though. The appointed administrators, Duff & Phelps, believe that Dreamland still has a rosy future ahead. The company has already turned around the Fantasy Island Park in Skegness, which was suffering from similar financial difficulties.
Dreamland is operated by the Sands Heritage Ltd Company, and is now in administration. The administrators have advised that the amusement park in Margate will still be open for business as usual throughout the summer of 2016. This is certainly welcome news.
Benjamin Wiles, the managing director of Duff and Phelps, was very upbeat about the future of Dreamland. He committed that his company would use all of the experience that they had gained turning around Fantasy Island in Skegness, to ensure that the business vision for Dreamland was achieved, and the park would become financially stable in the future.
He stressed that it was very important that Dreamland remain open as usual, as there are a full program of key events scheduled for Margate this year. There will be new rides added, and there will be a grand opening of the “Hall By The Sea”. These events should ensure that the amusement park has a successful 2016.
Operational Turnaround Required
The administrators have guaranteed that they will work alongside the current Dreamland management team, so that an operational turnaround can be conducted. The prospects of the business will all be evaluated before any other interested parties are invited to acquire the amusement park.
Sands Heritage was very complimentary about the management and staff at Dreamland. They commented on the “unwavering commitment” that the management team had shown to develop Dreamland into a first class theme park. They also said that all of the staff had worked very hard, under very challenging conditions, to make Dreamland a UK attraction that is talked about often.
Nick Conington, the chairman of Sands Heritage, believes that entering administration will enable the pleasure park to continue with its development, and attract many more visitors to Margate.
Thanet Council Pledge Commitment
This sentiment was echoed by Thanet District Council, Director of Community Services, Rob Kenyon, who was very pleased that Dreamland would remain open this summer, as it was a major tourist attraction for the area.
The Council have pledged their commitment to work closely with the administrators and the current Dreamland management team, to ensure that the pleasure park continues to grow and remains a going concern.
Visit Dreamland And Pledge Your Support
If you are looking for a great day out in Kent then Margate has so much to offer. There are fun things for all of the family to do, and a visit to Dreamland will really be appreciated. We must do everything that we can to keep this famous old amusement park going.
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