PRESS RELEASE DREAMLAND MARGATE REVEALS ITS ECONOMIC, EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL

Dreamland Margate today reveals the results of an Economic Impact Report carried out by independent third party specialist consultants, Marshall Regen, who were commissioned by Dreamland to assess the economic, employment, social, and community impact across Margate, East Kent, and Kent & Medway over the course of a single year (2025).

Dreamland Margate is a world-class family attraction and live entertainment venue with a specially selected offering of vintage style rides, pop-up entertainment, art installations and street food, plus a packed programme of live music and events. In addition to the outdoor amusement park, there is also an indoor retro roller room with cafe and games arcade, alongside versatile indoor event spaces – Hall By The Sea and The Ballroom.

Dreamland has gained a reputation as one of the south coast’s premier music venues, with a jam-packed line up of indoor and outdoor events.

As one of Margate’s leading attractions, Dreamland plays a pivotal role in driving tourism, supporting local employment, and enriching community life in Thanet—the most deprived district in Kent & Medway.

The results, which are from 2025 alone, show record visitor numbers resulting in high levels of spending, employment and local procurement. The social, cultural and community value of Dreamland is also demonstrated through engagement in a range of activities and free-entry visits to the park.

Visitor Numbers: Dreamland recorded approximately 413,000 visits, including nearly 283,000 free-entry park visits and 130,000 visits to 50 ticketed live events and concerts. About one-third of total visitors came from outside Kent & Medway.

Economic Value: Dreamland generated £25.7 million in spending in 2025, adding £12.3 million to Margate's economy, most of which is spending by visitors in local shops, restaurants and hotels.

Employment Support: Dreamland’s operations supported 280 gross full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs for local people, of which 55 are direct employees of Dreamland.

Local Procurement: In 2025 Dreamland spent £1.0 million directly with businesses located in Margate. Dreamland also partnered with independent local vendors for its food and beverage service.

Community Integration: Dreamland serves as a major venue for public gatherings and cultural events, hosting Margate Pride, Scouts Day celebrations, community meetings, and educational workshops. In 2025, Margate residents comprised roughly 52,300 of the total number of free-entry visits to the park.

Culture-led Regeneration: Dreamland remains an iconic symbol of Margate’s coastal heritage and has attracted a lot of positive attention as a cultural destination.

Charitable Support & Education: In 2025, Dreamland provided over £74,000 in charitable contributions and in-kind support (such as free venue hires for youth and support groups), collaborated with local schools and colleges, and offered work experience placements for East Kent College students.

Eddie Kemsley, CEO of Dreamland Margate said: ‘‘If 2025 alone has delivered economic benefits of over £25m for the local area, we can only imagine the impact over the past 10 years since Dreamland reopened, and what the numbers over the next decade will be. None of this would be possible without the hard work and support of everybody who has played a part in making this a real success story. I couldn’t be more proud of everything that we have collectively achieved.’

Scott Marshall of Marshall Regen Ltd said: ‘During the compilation of this independent Economic Impact Report for Dreamland Margate, we were expecting positive results, but we were delighted to uncover the actual levels of progressive and constructive impact that this historic venue and amusement park has not only on Margate, but also on the wider regions of Kent. Whilst the town is considered one of the most deprived in Kent, Dreamland demonstrates significantly valuable benefits to the area economically and socially.’

Alex Riley, Programme Manager - Economy for Kent County Council and Visit Kent, said: ‘Generating more than £25.7 million in gross spend, Dreamland Margate is a shining example of the significant impact tourism has on the Kent economy. Dreamland’s reputation as one of Kent’s leading music and events venues attracts visitors from across the Southeast, making it an integral part of both the Margate and wider Kent nighttime economy. With its exceptional location on the Kent coast, direct high-speed rail access from London, and fantastic roster of events throughout the year, we are delighted to see this Kent icon thrive.’

Cllr Kristian Bright, Cabinet Member for parking, tourism and culture at Thanet District Council, said: ‘This report really highlights the positive financial impact that visitors to Dreamland are having on Margate and the wider district, serving as a powerful catalyst for local job creation and career opportunities in hospitality, retail, and tourism. Dreamland itself spends directly with Margate businesses and also provides new markets for independent local food and drink outlets. With hundreds of thousands of visitors heading to Dreamland each year, local shops, restaurants, and hotels are feeling the positive benefit of that spending too.’

Polly Billington MP said: ‘Dreamland has become a vital part of our seaside economy, driving growth and contributing to our communities through employment and wellbeing. Its legacy helped put Margate on the map many years ago, and it continues to encourage visitors to our coast through its year-round international programming. It’s great to know just how much value Dreamland is bringing to Margate through this report.’

Lee Coad said: ‘As an owner of both an independent restaurant (Angela’s of Margate) and a project that helps support young people into employment, Dreamland has been both a driver of footfall in the town and a huge supporter of The Perfect Place to Grow. Our town is a better place for having them as part of it, our bars and restaurants are busier and they support making our communities better places. Every date - whether a gig or a corporate awards ceremony - goes straight in the diary as we know it will be a busy day and every penny they raise for charity goes straight to helping young people in Thanet’.

Mia Pollak of Margate Pride said: ‘Dreamland hosting Margate Pride has enabled us to focus on our core mission and use the money we raise to pay artist fees and deliver a community-wide outreach programme, helping make Margate a more cohesive, welcoming place. It’s a reciprocal relationship: Margate Pride brings thousands of visitors to Dreamland, an incredible space to host our Pride rally, increasing spending on its bars, food and rides, while Dreamland demonstrates its support for the LGBTQIA+ community as a safe space for everyone.’

As Ballroom and Hall by the Sea events continue indoors through the colder months, Dreamland Margate is gearing up for another bumper year in 2027 when the Park reopens in March, and from May when the Scenic Stage kicks off with an already sold out show from DJ Legend Carl Cox. Visit https://www.dreamland.co.uk/ for full details.