Located opposite the golden sands of Margate, visitors to Dreamland Margate can usually enjoy vintage, family and thrill rides, pop-up entertainment, live music and art installations, alongside eclectic bars and street food.
The park is home to the Scenic Railway, the UK's oldest roller coaster.
HemingwayDesign had created a unique Dreamland 100 brand for the park’s centenary year.
Statement by Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland Margate:
The impact of COVID-19 on people and business around the world has been devastating. The struggles we are facing as a business - while heart breaking for those closest to it – cannot compare to the devastation that families, health workers, emergencies services and patients around the world are facing, and our thoughts are with them.
At Dreamland, we are facing a situation no one could have possibly predicted. Just 9 weeks ago, we were prepped to launch Dreamland’s best year ever, following a phenomenally successful 2019. It will be our 100th anniversary on 3rd July 2020 and we had arranged an incredible line up of talent and amazing free to enter family events throughout the year. But this is no longer possible.
When Government guidelines announced the closure of theatres, pubs, music venues and leisure attractions Dreamland began its emergency business planning to assess the impact. We, like every company, have contingency plans for large scale threats to the park. Even so, no attraction in the world could have prepared for the devastation of COVID-19.
As a seasonal independent business, every single day of trading counts. The operational costs of managing and preparing the park are enormous. Every penny we take as a business is put back into the park.
Not only have we missed the vital Easter opening season, but restrictions are also likely to continue for leisure businesses like ours for the remainder of the summer (our busiest period). Beyond lockdown social distancing means, we must prepare for a substantial drop in predicted visitor numbers and income for the remainder of the year.
The costs of running an amusement park with no guarantee of attendance coupled with the uncertain future of public gatherings represent a financial risk to Dreamland.
Therefore, it is with a very heavy heart that we have taken the decision not to reopen Dreamland’s amusement park for the summer season. We will continue our events programme where possible subject to Government guidelines.
We are making use of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme up to 30th June. However, 52 members of staff have been given notice of redundancy from 1st July onwards as the amusement park will not reopen until it is safe and practical to do so.
22 members of staff will remain to protect the site and continue business planning. All events have now been rescheduled and we hope this arm of the business will be able to return swiftly once restrictions are lifted.
Our business planning remains fluid and when we have a clearer picture of how leisure venues will be operated, we hope to be in a position to rehire staff.
These decisions were not taken lightly. We are determined to survive, and we will return to entertain the thousands of families and fans who have supported us over the years.
Any guests that holds a Dreamland membership will be entitled to an extension to cover any time lost since the Government ordered the closure of all public venues in March.
