Working, as I have, in various Kent architects offices over the last decades, the subject of Margate's new art gallery has often cropped up in conversation.
The general consensus was that although Margate badly needed something to help start its regeneration, a new art gallery was probably not the right project. Margate, in the eyes of most people I spoke to (people who were Kent born and bred), would be much better off if it capitalised on its virtues as the venue for cheap, cheerful, fun family day trips - rather than attempt to reinvent itself as a magnet for cool, sophisiticated fans of contemporary art.
I tended to agree, in spite of being someone who, though not remotely cool or sophisticated, has been known to travel to see modern art. The viewpoint seemed all the more correct when the proposed gallery building was revealed to be neither 'iconic', nor a 'landmark', but rather a neutral, minimalist building of subtlety and restraint.
For the time being, the gallery is a success. Whether it has a long term effect on the town's fortunes remains to be seen. I can't see contemporary art long remaining as interesting to the public as it is at the moment.
Meanwhile, the town's attractiveness to funseeking families had been dealt a heavy blow by the closure of the Dreamland amusement park, and the fire which damaged the Scenic Railway ride (a grade II listed rollercoaster, opened in 1920).
Dreamland has been reinvented many times over the years. The first time we visited, it was trading as Bembom Brothers White Knuckle Theme Park. On the recent visit to the Turner Centre made us aware that plans are underway to reopen the park as a Heritage Theme Park.
Dreamland is not open yet, but that weekend there was a foretaste available in the shape of the travelling Carter's Steam Fair - a fantastic operation which proves that heritage and nostalgia can also be thrilling. I had a trip on the Dive Bombers - a terrifying loop-the-loop ride which I'd not seen since I was small, when I had found the mere sight of it awe inspiring.
Hopefully this twin-pronged approach to regeneration - art and fun - will stick.
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