OUR PARTNERS
SUPPORTING US TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION
The Dreamland Trust exists to protect and promote the heritage, education, historic and brand proposition of Dreamland in Margate and safeguard them for the future.
To achieve this vision, The Dreamland Heritage Trust, a registered charity, work with Dreamland’s operator and other key partners including Thanet District Council and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
DREAMLAND
SANDS HERITAGE
For the last two years, Sands Heritage Limited (SHL), the commercial operator of Dreamland Margate, and the Dreamland Heritage Trust have been working collaboratively on programmes and initiatives due to take place both on park and in the community.
There is a huge enthusiasm to realise and reinvent the activity plan for the park and, since opening, artists, producers and archivists have continued to engage with the park, its operators and The Trust.
Together in 2016, we hosted an open day with SEAS and CCU to collect new archive material, and ran talks and tours for Heritage Open Days. The ground work behind the scenes in 2016 has resulted in some exciting collaborations for the forthcoming season, as well as The Dreamland Trust having a space on the Dreamland estate to display exhibitions, the archive and host events alongside SHL.
We see this as a mutually supportive relationship, with both SHL and the Dreamland Trust complementing each other's activities for a better Dreamland. We are confident this approach will allow us to engage audiences not only in its past but also in it's future.
Visit the Dreamland website
Dreamland has a long and important history. It has been one of Britain’s most famous seaside amusement parks and, for many decades, was central to the economy of the area as Thanet’s most-visited tourist attraction.
That history, and its significance, is reflected in the Grade II* listed Scenic Railway and Grade II listed nineteenth century menagerie cages. Both the Dreamland Heritage Trust and Thanet District Council shared a vision of re-establishing a traditional seaside amusement park and preserving and protecting these important heritage assets.
Thanet District Council and the Dreamland Trust worked together, along with public organisations and partners, to secure £18m of public funding for its restoration.
Visit the Thanet Council website
HERITAGE
LOTTERY FUND
Phase One of Dreamland includes 17 restored rides, as well as the roller disco, pleasure gardens, restaurants, food stalls, arcades and amusements from the golden age of the British seaside. Over 200 old rides and amusements have been upcycled and reimaged – transformed into the fabric of the new Dreamland.
Dreamland will play a significant role in the continued regeneration of Margate. Dreamland’s Phase One opening alone has created 200 jobs in the local area. Further jobs will be announced as Phases Two, Three and Four are undertaken. An education centre on Dreamland will provide a further resource for the community.
Eddie Kemsley, CEO, Dreamland "Through their hard work and the financial support we have received we have transformed a once derelict site back into the beating heart of Margate."
Eddie Kemsley, CEO, Dreamland says: “There’s so much more to come but for now the successful launch of Phase One is a testament to all those involved in this project and those campaigners that saved Dreamland for the nation. Through their hard work and the financial support we have received we have transformed a once derelict site back into the beating heart of Margate. Without their hard work none of this would have been possible. There is still much to do, but for now we can’t wait to welcome our first visitors.”
Stuart McLeod, Head of HLF South East, says:“As we head into summer, it’s perfect timing for some holiday fun with Dreamland Margate opening its doors to a new generation of visitors – especially as this week, Lonely Planet has named Kent ‘Europe’s top spot for a family holiday’!. Our investment of nearly £6m is thanks to National Lottery players and we are tremendously grateful for the ongoing role they play in our work. Dreamland is a great example of how heritage-led regeneration can make a real impact on the local economy with Thanet alone benefiting from HLF support of over £17m.”