Margate’s Fabulous Showboat arcade shuts due to ‘significant trading loss’

The Fabulous Showboat has closed (google maps)

A ‘significant trading loss’ has forced the closure of The Fabulous Showboat amusement arcade on Margate seafront.

The Marine Terrace venue, run by firm Praesepe, shut its doors on January 16.

Mark Schertle, Chief Operating Officer for Praesepe said: “The outstanding contribution of all staff and management at this venue for many years has enabled us to provide a great service to the local community and visiting tourists. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the Fabulous Showboat has made a significant trading loss for the past few years.”

“The Fabulous Showboat has commenced a full consultation process with the team of the Margate venue; the purpose of which is to explore ways of avoiding or minimising the potential risk of any redundancies. Every effort will be made to seek redeployment opportunities within the Praesepe Group.”

The closure comes almost a year after Praesepe announced the closure of Beacon Bingo with the loss of 25 jobs. The seafront club had some 1,100 customers every week but it was not enough to keep it financially stable.

Praesepe Group, which also runs Cashino, Funshine and Tan Express, is one of Europe’s largest  gaming organisations.

6 Comments

  1. That is very sad for everyone there. It is a shame the owners can’t ‘re think the Margate Seafront experience with something more contemporary?

  2. It’s a shame this has happened.This has been an arcade since the 40s.If the company kept the cafe at the rear this would have helped over the winter months to bring in local and visitors into the building.There was always been a cafe there since the old days.

  3. Not a good thing to happen to Margate with the seafront businesses already thin on the ground and a gaping hole alongside. Maybe an even bigger hotel will be built there, but who for with nothing but deprivation and dirt to look forward to on arrival?

    • Oh 🙁 What no Sun, Sea, Sand and Sailing Boats ? Sickening isn’t it.
      Perhaps an Apartment Hotel might be considered.

  4. It’s such a shame as this is where my Autisic daughter spends most of her holidays. They could of given people notice so they could spend there tickets (my daughter had 18,000) that she had collected to get a big gift but now all that money she has spent has been wasted 🙁

  5. Need to work the space harder .. . Cafe /themed restaurant and or separate co-working space…. sure the footfall could be increased out of season and I would assume and hope ‘ in season’ is typically good ?

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