Expanding events, festivals, gigs and looking at further possibilities for hotel accommodation are some of the plans Dreamland has to create an all-year around business.
The amusement park, which relaunched for the second time in 2017 after a £25million investment from company Arrowgrass, opened for the season last weekend (April 6) and has more than 70 events lined up this year.
The aim is to expand what’s on offer for residents, boost the Margate economy, offer year-round work contracts and explore options for keeping visitors to festivals and gigs in the town with more hotel choice.
In February Dreamland’s parent company Margate Estates gained approval for its 124 bed hotel on Marine Terrace in the ‘Godden’s Gap’ space and at the site currently occupied by Ziggy’s rooftop bar and the adjoining building.
The six storey hotel will contain a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a shop or café with frontage onto Marine Terrace, a restaurant and bar at the ground floor and a rooftop bar.
But there could be more hotel plans to come.
CEO Eddie Kemsley said: “We are currently looking at ways to increase the number of hotel beds in Margate and will continue to look at that throughout the Summer.
“Margate needs more hotels. We want to do more events out of he main season, live music, Halloween, Christmas, and in order to do that we have to have [places for people to stay.
“Having more events off season means contributing more to the Margate economy and making sure we are a 12 month business means short term contracts can be made permanent.
“We want residents to know we are here for them, whether it is dropping in for half an hour and having a cup of tea or making a whole day of it, because the town, the Trust, TDC, the Heritage Lottery and others fought so hard to save Dreamland.
“We really want to focus on lots of different things to attract different audiences – music, live performances, in-house entertainment with kid’s shows and activities, film nights returning and film afternoons on the big screen.
“It is a fantastic park and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.”
Eddie also revealed that the park’s free entry, currently running from now until May 24, will be reviewed to see if it can be extended.
Preparations are also underway for a major celebration next year when Dreamland celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Open for Easter
From April 6-22, Camp Bestival brings a taste of its family festival to the Margate amusement park with live music, rides, and entertainment for all the family.
There are three unique Bestival installations to explore – the 8m tall Love-Bot that spreads love and joy to all, a mini temple and Bollywood chill out zone, and The World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle, which is taller than the Great Wall of China and accommodates 100 bouncers at a time. Competitive souls can try the wobbly Olympics, festival mask making, and visit some cute and occasionally creepy creatures in the Dreamland Ark.
Entry to the park is free. Visitors can buy unlimited ride wristbands in advance (25% off when bought online at https://www.dreamland.co.uk/events/listings/eventdetail/7511/9/easter-at-dreamland), or choose Dreamland Membership for unlimited rides during park opening plus special discounts and exclusive membership perks on food and drink and ticketed events all year round.
