A bingo boss in the UK is not so happy with the Thanet council since its refusal to approve the placement of an inflatable King Kong above his building.
Praesepe, the owners of Funshine Amusements and Crown Bingo in Marine Terrace, has over £300,000 invested in both venues but the 15-foot blow-up gorilla may not be used as a marketing tool.
Managing director Nick Harding said: "We came to look at the premises last year on a bank-holiday weekend and it was quiet as a grave.
"I used to come to Dreamland as a boy and I couldn't believe the state of the seafront but we overlooked all of that and invested in the potential of the area.
"We have brought a large part of the area back to life and believe what we are doing will complement the leisure offering at Dreamland."
Since the council has not worked with them, the firm has postponed any plans to convert the upper floors of the building.
Commercial director Byron Evans said: "The gorilla was a temporary installation and deflated every evening.
“It's a bit of harmless fun and that's what the British seaside should be about."
Fans in favor of the “Marvin the Margate Monkey” have come together via a Facebook campaign to show their disapproval of the council's decision.
A spokesman from the council said: "The council is particularly keen to support local businesses and, in this case, full consideration was given to the merits of the application for the gorilla sign at the premises.
"The advertisement attracted much public interest and it was necessary for the council, in making its decision, to balance consideration of the benefits to the business of the proposed signage against the wider visual impacts of the gorilla sign on the character and appearance of the Margate Seafront Conservation Area.
"The conclusion we drew was that the signage would be out of keeping and harmful to the conservation area."
Praesepe, the owners of Funshine Amusements and Crown Bingo in Marine Terrace, has over £300,000 invested in both venues but the 15-foot blow-up gorilla may not be used as a marketing tool.
Managing director Nick Harding said: "We came to look at the premises last year on a bank-holiday weekend and it was quiet as a grave.
"I used to come to Dreamland as a boy and I couldn't believe the state of the seafront but we overlooked all of that and invested in the potential of the area.
"We have brought a large part of the area back to life and believe what we are doing will complement the leisure offering at Dreamland."
Since the council has not worked with them, the firm has postponed any plans to convert the upper floors of the building.
Commercial director Byron Evans said: "The gorilla was a temporary installation and deflated every evening.
“It's a bit of harmless fun and that's what the British seaside should be about."
Fans in favor of the “Marvin the Margate Monkey” have come together via a Facebook campaign to show their disapproval of the council's decision.
A spokesman from the council said: "The council is particularly keen to support local businesses and, in this case, full consideration was given to the merits of the application for the gorilla sign at the premises.
"The advertisement attracted much public interest and it was necessary for the council, in making its decision, to balance consideration of the benefits to the business of the proposed signage against the wider visual impacts of the gorilla sign on the character and appearance of the Margate Seafront Conservation Area.
"The conclusion we drew was that the signage would be out of keeping and harmful to the conservation area."
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