A funfair at the Pleasurama site in Ramsgate opens today

The fair opens today

A funfair at the former Pleasurama site on Ramsgate seafront is due to open at noon today (July 20)

The site has been unused for two decades since a blaze on the evening of May 25 -going into May 26-1998, which devastated everything on the site, including the listed railway, the amusement arcade, cafe/restaurant; bingo hall and associated offices.

Last month part of the site was dug out in preparation for the fair and now rides are in place and ready to open, with more due to arrive next week.

A section of the hoardings has been removed and replaced with Heras fencing which will go up at night.

The fairground will be free entry with rides costing from £2.

Tokens will be on sale at £1.20 with 10 tokens for £10. Attraction will include dodgems, Funhouse, children’s rides, Hook a Duck, trampolines and a carousel.

The fair will run throughout the school holidays from 11am to 10pm each day.

There will be market stalls available at weekends for local traders.These will be available for free to any registered charity.

To apply email [email protected] with reference Market Ramsgate.  Limited spaces available.

Each weekend there will be a different street foodtrader.

To apply email [email protected] with reference Street Food Ramsgate.

The fair has been arranged via businessman Jeremy Godden. A temporary change of use planning application has been submitted to Thanet council by Blueberry Homes.

It has received a mixed reaction from seafront traders with some feeling it will be good for business but another  fearing the noise will drive away seafront custom.

In January 2004 planning permission was granted for a 60-bed hotel, 107 residential apartments, leisure facilities and retail. Despite the ongoing saga of changing companies and contract buy-outs work is yet to start in earnest.

Find the timeline here:  Pleasurama: 20 year anniversary since site destroyed in blaze