Jimmy G's Leysdown Arcade Revamp - £3 Million Plans Denied By Council

Playing High Tech Adventure Golf

Leysdown-On-Sea is awaiting further news updates from the council regarding the planned £3 million makeover of the Jimmy G's amusements arcade. Plans for an adventure golf game centre, a dedicated augmented reality darts area and a four-storey soft play haven have been dashed - for now at least.

Swale Council has rejected Godden Gaming's ambitious refurbishment plans, citing concerns about the impact on a nearby home, insufficient ecological information and a lack of a surface water drainage strategy.

The knockback comes despite the enthusiastic support of the Leysdown Parish Council, who believed the revamp would make the arcade a year round attraction and benefit the community.

Godden Gaming, who own amusement centres across the UK, expressed their "huge disappointment" at the council's decision, highlighting the "anti-business nature" and the "complete lack of understanding" of the seasonal pressures faced by businesses like theirs.

Godden plans to resubmit an application with the required reports, but the delays and potential costs have raised concerns about the future of the project and the 30+ jobs it promised to create.

The Planned Improvements According To Godden Gaming

1. Adventure golf: A thrilling course for families to enjoy.
2. Augmented reality darts: A cutting-edge gaming experience.
3. Four-storey soft play area: A paradise for kids of all ages.
4. Show bar: A space for live entertainment and fun.
5. Sun terrace restaurant: A place to relax and enjoy the seaside views.
6. Expanded car park: With space for 299 vehicles, including 14 Blue Badge spaces and 26 EV charging points.

What Now for Jimmy G's Refurbishment Plans?
Swale Council has expressed a willingness to work with Godden Gaming to find an acceptable solution. However, the company faces a significant hurdle with the additional reports required and the cost of resubmitting the application.

The future of the Jimmy G's rebuild hangs in the balance. Will the dream of a revitalized arcade become a reality, or will the delays and financial burden force the company to abandon their plans? We'll have to wait and see how this story unfolds.

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Leysdown Town Waffle - The Old & The New

Talk Of The Town - Old Leysdown On Sea
More Talk Of The Town Youtube Videos →→

Leysdown Town Laughs & Waffle

We're in Leysdown Town, where the seagulls fly high,
Fish and chips, cockled eels, are priced nearly as high,
Much fun to be had, a Talk Of The Town good time,
And it's up to the cliffs, so slowly we climb.

There's arcades galore, a flashing maze,
Pennies lost, prizes won, in a countless of ways,
Promenade stretching out, it's an amusements dream,
Where the salty breeze wafts, and the sunbeams gleam.

The beach is full of little'uns, small sandy toes,
And buckets brimming, to the woes,
Of castles built, then washed away,
By waves that frolic, through night and day.

So come to Leysdown, have a blast,
Forget your worries, make them past,
With laughter, joy, and sandy feet,
A seaside holiday, a Kentish retreat.

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Old Leysdown Town Waffle

Old Leysdown-On-Sea, a seaside retreat,
Where arcades were loud, fish and chips tasted sweet.
The donkeys did bray, the seagulls did cry,
And sun-kissed tourists, did stroll on by.

The sea stretched out, a sun-kissed delight,
Anglers casted thier lines, with all their might.
The beach was sandy, the waves were strong,
And children built sandcastles, all day long.

So come to new Leysdown, if you do dare,
And join in the fun, it's beyond compare.
With the salty sea air, and the happy cheer,
Your memories will last, for many a year.

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Old Leysdown Town Waffle & Lament

Oh, Leysdown-On-Sea, a seaside retreat,
Where the wind whips the sand, in a windswept defeat.
The arcades are dim, the fish and chips cold,
And the donkeys are tired, their stories untold.

The beach huts are faded, angry seagulls still fly,
As tourists look up, at the sunless grey sky.
A bucket and spade, a forlorn affair,
And the tide rolls out, leaving nowt but despair.

So if you seek glamour, or a fancy resort,
Leysdown's not the best, most glamorous resort.
But just for enjoyable, just seasidey fun,
With a touch of nostalgia, it's still number one.

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Leysdown-On-Sea: A Month of Sun Sand And Community Spirit (Sept 2024)

2024 Leysdown Carnival Video(Watching The Carnival Procession Go By)

Holiday Season In Leysdown: Leysdown-On-Sea has enjoyed a busy and vibrant month, with the sunshine attracting holidaying visitors, many from London and locals from Kent alike to our popular seaside destination. Leysdown is located only 50 miles to the capital up the M20.

Tourism Booms: The recent spell of warm weather has seen a surge in visitors to the resort. The beach was bustling with families enjoying the sand and sea, with popular attractions like the arcades, amusement park and mini-golf course hosting an increase in footfall.

Community Events: Our local community has been active in organizing events throughout the month. The annual Leysdown Carnival, held on the 27th of July, was a resounding success, with a colourful parade, fun activities on the bandstand, live music around the village and a vibrant atmosphere. It's not quite as big as Notting Hill, but we like it.

Local Businesses Flourish: With the influx of visitors, local businesses have enjoyed a significant uptick in sales. Beachside and promenade cafes and restaurants have been packed, with many offering special menus and promotions to capitalize on the tourist season.

Looking Ahead: The month ahead promises more sunshine and entertainment in Leysdown. Plans are in place for a series of live music events on the bandstand and children's games on the Leysdown beach with the UBM, along with additional community activities aimed at both residents and visitors.

Overall, Leysdown has had a thriving month, combining the joys of summer with a strong sense of community spirit. Leysdown is well positioned to continue attracting visitors and building on its success in the coming years.

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WW1 and WW2 - Wartime History Of Leysdown-On-Sea

Maunsell Sea Forts Video(Visit to see the Maunsell sea forts and the SS Montgomery wreck)

Leysdown-on-Sea, albeit only a small coastal village, played a significant role during World War I and II

WORLD WAR ONE
Military Presence: While not directly a site of major battles, Leysdown was part of the coastal defenses of the south-east of England. The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) had a presence in the area, and the village was part of the network of coastal lookouts and signal stations that monitored the English Channel.

Impact on Residents: The war had a significant impact on the lives of the residents of Leysdown. Many men joined the armed forces, and there were shortages of food and other goods. The village also hosted a large number of refugees from Belgium and France.

WORLD WAR TWO
Coastal Defenses: Leysdown became a key part of the coastal defenses of Britain during World War II. In addition to the Maunsell sea forts, a battery of 6-inch guns were installed on the Warden Bay cliffs, known as the Leysdown Battery.

The guns were removed after the war, but due to cliff erosion the pill box has fallen onto the beach below and shamefully, into extreme disrepair. I think these historical wartime artifacts should be kept in a war museum. These guns and defences were designed to defend against enemy warships and aircraft after all. Too important to be allowed to rot. The positive is you can visit it when the tide is out, not when it's on the way in though, otherwise you'll have to climb the cliff to safety.

Evacuation and Bombing: The village was also used as a staging post for evacuation during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. Unfortunately, Leysdown was also a target for German bombing raids. The area suffered several bombing attacks during the war, and there were casualties and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Royal Observer Corps (ROC): Leysdown was home to a Royal Observer Corps post. This important post was manned by volunteers night and day, who monitored the skies for enemy aircraft.

Post-War Impact: Like many coastal villages, Leysdown faced the challenges of rebuilding after the war. The village's infrastructure and economy were impacted by the war. However, with the passage of time, Leysdown has flourished as a popular holiday destination for Londoners and beyond.

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Sources and Further Research:
♥ Letters From Sheppey - From The Aviation Files - Excerpts Re Leysdown
♣ Local Archives: The Kent Archives and the Isle of Sheppey Local History Society may hold records related to Leysdown's history during WWI and WWII.
♥ Military Records: The National Archives (Kew) and the Imperial War Museum may have relevant documents regarding the military presence in Leysdown during WW1 & 2.

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What to do in Leysdown

If you're reading this and are considering having a holiday in Leysdown on Sea, here are some of the activities Leysdown offers.

Amusement Arcades
Along the promenade, there are five amusement arcades to go in. The largest of the five is Jimmy G's Arcades, holding the centre of the promenade with two arcades; phase I and II. These have been recently refurbished as new owner Jimmy Godden purchased the old Mr B's arcades and replaced them with his own Jimmy G's amusements. These arcades also have a bingo hall in each, as well as a small bowling alley in phase II.

The next two main arcades are Playtime Amusements and Coincastle. Last but not least is the smallest of the five, Las Vegas.

Beach
Leysdown beach is hardly the Caribbean, but it's relatively safe with its shallow waters. Consisting of Sand, shells, shingle and the Sea, it isn't the nicest Beach on the English Coasts, however it by far isn't the worse. Leysdown Beach has over 200 hours of sunhine per month in the summer months and with one of the lowest rainfall counts in the whole of the U.K. it is an ideal place for the family to lay the towels down and relax in the Sun.

Naturist Beach
This official naturist Beach is about half a mile up the coast from the main Beach in Leysdown known as Shellness. There is reported to be upto 100 naturists on this beach at busy periods on weekends. Weekdays is said to be more to the numbers of 20-30+.

Fishing
Many of the Locals and visiting holiday goers take to fishing in the Leysdown Sea. Mainly in the Summer months, people take boats out and enjoy a day of fishing with the catches usually consisting of eels in the wrecks and piers, and cod and dabs in the Sea. as well as boating, there are also many places all along the beach where you can plot and start fishing. If you are visiting, ask the locals what they use for bait and are most likely to catch. You may even learn a few of their tricks and secrets!
More information on fishing in Kent.

Funfair-Seasonal funfair

Since the arrival of Jimmy G's arcade in Leysdown, a funfair has visited for the whole of the Summer in the previous 2 years just next to The Seahorse pub. As well as this funfair, there is another that arrives for a shorter period, situated on the big green after Merlins. Both are of similar size with the usual rides along with bumper cars etc.

Golf-Pitch and Putt
A little walk away from Sheppey Beach villas is the Pitch and Putt course. Very cheap to play I think roughly about £3 from memory. Next to this is a smaller putting green consisting of 18 holes, more for the children and families. The price for this is as I remember roughly £1 per person. There is a picnic area as well as a cafe opposite. Climbing frames and a big green make it a nice place to spend a few hours, with the beach only a 30 second walk away. As a child I have spent many hours here and have many many good memories of days out with the family.

Nightlife

With family entertainment and under 18 raves for younger people, there is a fairly ok range of nightlife in Leysdown catering to many different ages and needs. I will name a few of the different places to go below, however there are also many other places and entertainment outside of the list below.

Merlins
Merlins is the home of a big part of entertainment at night in Leysdown. Hosting different events for different nights, ranging from under 18 nights, to comedians and live singers, Merlins is usually a safe bet for good nightlife.

Talk of the Town
Recently changed managers, the reputation of the Talk of the Town is changing. Renowned for louts and fights, under new management this is changing to a more friendly family safe atmosphere. If you are looking for a safe night with the family, I still wouldn't recommend to go here. A young guy or girl who wants to have a great night, drinking and dancing, then this is more suited to you.

Central Beach
This little family bar holds night time entertainment with bingo nights, karaoke and disco nights. With a park at the back with climbing frames and swings, it is definitely child friendly and a great place to go for the family. A pool table and darts when it isn't too busy is available for use with drinks not being too expensive either.

Leysdown On Sea General Info - Leysdown On Sea Wiki
Leysdown On Sea Picture Gallery - Leysdown Picture Gallery

Leysdown Chalet and Caravan Parks

There are 20 caravan and chalet parks in Leysdown alone, here are the main parks that are fairly close to the promenade.

Harts Holiday Park

Harts holiday park is directly facing the beach, only a 30 second walk away. It is located right in the heart of Leysdown's promenade, with all of the shops and attractions literally within a 1 minute walk. It has its own heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, complete with sauna and jacuzzi. It has a clubhouse bar which has just been refurbished, holding live entertainment on most weekends in peak times. A popular choice for holiday goers in Leysdown.

Prices and bookings are available through Park Holidays UK.

Contact Details
Phone - 01795 511522
Fax - 01795 510488
Address - Leysdown Road, Leysdown on Sea, Isle Of Sheppey, ME12 4RG

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Central Beach Park

Central Beach Park has been with the current owners George and Maureen Wharton for 30 years this year (2009) and is situated in a prime spot right next to the beach. It has an outdoor heated swimming pool with a play park joining onto the beach itself. It has its own social club with tiki bar and live entertainment with karaoke and disco, as well as bingo. An under 5's play area is also provided and a pub restaurant, well known for its good sunday lunch. A boot fair every sunday morning is hosted in-season. Being so close to the beach, arcades and cafes, it's definately a top choice holiday park in Leysdown.

Contact Details
Telephone - 01795 510308 / 01795 510333
Fax - 01795 510500
Address - Central Beach Caravan Park, Grove Avenue, Leysdown, Sheppey, Kent, ME12 4QE
Official Website - White Horse Leisure Centres ltd

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Leysdown Chalet Services

Leysdown Chalet Services has many properties under its books in Kent, however it deals largly with Leysdown where most of its properties are saturated.
Not a park as such, it is the main independant agency in Leysdown, offering ranges of accomodation from 6 berth chalets, to brick bungalows and upto 12 berth caravans, giving plenty to choose from.

They also sell houses as well as renting them, here is the link to check out the offers they have on their site.
Leysdown Chalet Services

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Warden Bay Caravan Park

Warden Bay Caravan Park is located just on the edge of Leysdown and is about a 5 minute walk from the beach. Another 5 minutes up the beach brings you to Leysdown Promenade which is where the heart of Leysdown lies. Warden Bay Caravan Park have new and used caravans for rent and for sale, with a launderette and an outdoor swimming pool.

Contact Details
Telephone: 01795 510275
Visit the Official Website: www.wardenbay.co.uk

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Seaview Caravan and Chalet Park

Seaview Caravan and Chalet Park is located on Warden Bay rd, 5 minutes from Leysdown Beach and another 5 minutes away from Leysdown promenade. With an outdoor heated swimming pool, large playing field, children's play area, dog exercise area and a launderette, it has plenty to acommodate your needs.

Contact Details
Tel: 01795 510275
Fax: 01795 510200
Email: john@seaview-leysdown.co.uk
Address: Seaview Holiday Park
Warden Bay Road
Leysdown-On-Sea
Sheerness
Kent
ME12 4NB

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Leysdown Holiday Park Related Links

Leysdown Chalets and Caravans- Leysdown Chalet Services
Leysdown Caravan Sites- Leysdown Chalet and Caravan Sites
Leysdown Caravan Parks- Google Maps Leysdown Caravan Sites
Leysdown Priory Hill- Leysdown Priory Hill Chalets, Caravans and Touring Holidays
Leysdown WHLC Parks- Leysdown White Horse Leisure Centres Ltd Holiday Parks

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Jimmy G's...The new arcade in Leysdown

As I drove past Merlins to that corner by the Rose and Crown that we all love to see, I noticed the 'Mr B's' arcades had been turned into a 'Jimmy G's' instead. Jimmy Godden has bought both sides of Mr B's, both phase I and II. The larger of the two, phase II, has been completely renovated giving it a more modern look. The roof has been completely torn down and replaced, which must have cost one hell of a lot as I know it to have had an asbestos problem, and could not be touched. I was especially sad to notice the three things phase II offered that no other Leysdown arcade offered had been removed: The Laser quest, 'fun factory' and bumper cars have all been demolished. A new bowling alley has been put in its place however, as well as the bingo being built too. Hope fully with Jimmy owning several other arcades too, he will be able to bring a new lease of life to Leysdown, as I'm sure many people would would agree, it could definitely do with a good renovation.

Jimmy Godden
Jimmy Godden is known as the 'King of the South-Coast', owning various different arcades throughout sea-side towns in the South East of England. He seems to be very unlucky with some of these though, with three of his arcades being burnt down. The most famous and recent burning is of Dreamland in Margate. The others include: 'Mr B's arcade on Margate Seafront, Rotunda Amusement Park in Folkstone and The Tivoli Amusement Arcade in Ramsgate. That being said, he is a very successful business man never the less and will hopefully have better luck with his new arcades in Leysdown.

Margate
The Scenic Railway fire has caused more media attention than any of his other arcades that have been burnt. Margate was a main attraction in Kent. Having been there a few times myself as a child, I was very sad when I learned I would never be able to see 'Dreamland' again. As well as being an arcade, it also held one of the most rarest wooden roller coasters of its kind, a grade two roller coaster; the scenic railway. It's said Thanet District Council are holding talks with the Scenic Railway Rollercoaster owners about rebuilding it and regenerating the Margate town centre. I think we all hope some sort of arrangement can be made, but whether this ends up happening or not is as good a guess as any.

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Dreamland Gallery
A gallery of pictures of dreamland, Margate before it burnt down.
♠ Dreamland Gallery

Scenic Railway Burning
A YouTube video of The scenic railway burning.

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