‘Major incident’ prompts Dreamland licence review
Dreamland Margate faces a licensing review after a 17-year-old girl died and 21 teenagers were hospitalised from suspected drug overdoses at a drum & bass event held last month.
Kent Police declared a major incident at Worried About Henry event, which took place at the open air concert venue on 29 June. Advertised as an over-16s event, it was attended by around 7,000 people.
Five interim measures have now been imposed on Dreamland, which has already cancelled an event “of a similar nature and customer base” planned for 27 July, following recommendations by the police to Thanet District Council.
They include the “formal cancellation of all drum and bass events and those deemed to be a higher risk association with class A and B drug use by those under 18 years of age”, as well as an increased ratio of security staff to patrons for what the police deem “‘higher risk’ events such as trance/garage/grime”.
Further measures include zero tolerance signage throughout the venue regarding drug use and possession, and for all under-18s must be accompanied by an adult aged 25 or over.
“Kent Police respectfully request that interim measures are officially put in place to uphold the licensing objectives,” said the police. “At this stage we are not seeking a full revocation of the licence as Kent Police are confident in working with Dreamland prior to any review hearing.”
A spokesperson for Dreamland tells IQ: We are committed to engaging with the licensing authority and Kent Police throughout the review process.”
“Kent Police believe that in general the premises has been well run and well
suited to what we would deem to be lower risk events”
According to documents submitted to the council, police decided against shutting down Worried About Henry in the wake of the tragedy as it “would likely have caused a large-scale public order incident”.
“This was a challenging decision but allowed mitigating factors to implemented to minimise the risk towards already vulnerable children at the event,” they said.
Police noted that Dreamland, in general, “has been well run and well suited to what we would deem to be lower risk events”.
“The management of events specifically targeted at over 16s and particular music genre’s are historically faced with challenges,” they added. “The venue has had issues with similar previous events in 23/24, where there were some wider issues raised with crime and disorder in the local area which in turn put pressure on strategic partners and in turn damaged public confidence and have undermined all licensing objectives.”
A spokesperson for Kent Police tells IQ: “Our application is currently before the relevant committee at Thanet District Council. We have no further statement on it at present.”
LN-Gaiety Holdings took a majority stake in Sands Heritage, owner of Dreamland Margate, last year. Upcoming concerts at the venue include Suede & Manic Street Preachers, Idles, Jess Glynne, Status Quo, Paloma Faith and Busted.
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LN-Gaiety acquires Dreamland Margate
LN-Gaiety Holdings (LNG) has taken a majority stake in Sands Heritage, owner of the UK theme park and open-air concert venue Dreamland Margate.
The Kent complex was this year granted permission to double the number of gigs it can present annually to 40, while its capacity has expanded from 5,000 to 7,000.
Among the artists that performed at the seaside-based venue in 2023 are Placebo, Kool & the Gang, Tom Jones, Olly Murs, Will Young, Bastille and Chase and Status.
LNG, the UK promotion joint venture by Live Nation and Denis Desmond’s Gaiety Investments, confirmed the acquisition of Dreamland Margate on Saturday 16 December.
“Working with CEO Eddie Kemsley, the team will enhance its offer at this much-loved resort,” reads a statement from LN-Gaiety.
“Dreamland is the ultimate seaside destination for music, rides, and entertainment with great artists in 2024 including Status Quo, Madness, Richard Ashcroft, Becky Hill, Limp Bizkit, Craig David and many more.”
“The acquisition ensures the legendary venue can carry on providing world-class entertainment for people of all ages”
A Dreamland spokesperson added: “We are delighted that LN-Gaiety has become the new owner of Dreamland in Margate. The acquisition ensures the legendary venue can carry on providing world-class entertainment for people of all ages.
“It is very much business as usual for Dreamland, we look forward to re-opening our historic amusement park at Easter for another summer season, as well as welcoming some of the very best live bands and acts both in our indoor spaces and next summer on the amazing Scenic Stage.”
Dreamland, which dates from 1880, was once one of Britain’s best-loved amusement parks, but closed in 2003 after a long period of decline as seaside holidays fell out of favour. It was compulsorily purchased by Thanet District Council in 2013 and reopened two years later. Sands Heritage bought the attraction from Thanet District Council in 2020.
While live music has been part of its heritage for over half a century, the venue enhanced its reputation when it welcomed Gorillaz’ Goldenvoice-promoted Demon Dayz Festival in June 2017, which was considered a breakthrough moment in its modern incarnation.
“It’s like a ready-built festival site: we’ve got rides, we’ve got street food, we’ve got bars, we’ve got a 1,500-capacity indoor club venue, which we use for afterparties,” CEO Eddie Kemsley told IQ in February. “Acts love playing here, they love the seaside vibe.”
Other performers over the years include Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, James and Busted.
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