It is under the same ownership as the Rotunda park in Folkestone, part of which is already being demolished to make way for shops, flats and indoor leisure facilities.

Owner Jim Godden said Dreamland would probably have to go much the same way and is considering replacing the rides with shops and indoor leisure facilities.

"The park is far too large for Margate as we know it today. We are looking towards a similar type of operation as Folkestone, without the residential aspect.

"We can incorporate some leisure boxes, some retail and a supermarket but retain the Dreamland tower which houses the cinema complex, the cash bingo and the Chinese restaurant," Mr Godden explained.

Although no formal planning application has yet been submitted, Thanet Council's leader Richard Nicholson said change might be difficult to stop.

"We have to face the fact that, whilst we could refuse anything that does affect Dreamland Leisure Park, Mr Godden is quite entitled to close it.

"What we don’t want to end up with is a closed leisure park steadily going into dereliction within the centre of Margate and near the seafront."

Background:
Opening on 3rd July 1920 the ride is the oldest operating roller coaster in the country. It is one of only two Scenic Railway-type roller coasters still operating, the other being at the Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth.

The cars run in troughs (and do not have under-track wheels), which limits the speed and steepness of the drops. They are originals and come complete with lion's head carvings.

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