A part of Swanage’s seaside heritage could be about to disappear, as the Playland amusement site on the seafront near the Stone Quay has been put up for sale.
With an asking price of £500,000, the building also comes with a restrictive covenant meaning that it cannot be used as an amusement arcade in future.
It will be the end of an era if seaside machines have to leave the site
More than 90 years of history
The single storey building, which dates back to Victorian times, has five arched windows facing Swanage Bay, with exceptional views out to sea, as well as entrances from the seafront and also off the High Street.
Covering more than 4,000 square feet, Playland has plenty of opportunity to be turned into a restaurant or shop, although it would need full planning permission to become anything other than an amusement arcade.
It is currently owned by J Holland and Sons, which also owns Funworld Amusements on Shore Road, Swanage, as well as another eight amusement arcades in Dorset, Somerset and Devon.
It has existed under its current name as a tourist attraction on Swanage seafront for more than 90 years, although the type of amusements offered have changed over the years.
A photo from 1934 with the Playland building and sign visible top left
“I’m really sad to see this”
Former Swanage resident Marilyn Wood said:
“Thousands, maybe millions of us have spent time in Playland, on very hot days to get out of the sun and on rainy days to keep dry.
“I’ve been going in for over 70 years, and I remember how they kept the old, What the Butler Saw, hand cranked machines.
“I’m really sad to see this, I can’t imagine an arcade not being there.”
If the building became a restaurant, it would have some of the best dining views in town
“Considerable potential”
A spokesperson for Corbens, which is handling the sale, said:
“This is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire exceptionally spacious commercial premises in the heart of the town centre within 50 metres of the Old Stone Quay and town square, and only slightly further from the Pier, seafront and beach.
“It has arched windows providing an exceptional aspect with views over the bay.
“With an impressive total floor area of 4,273 sq ft, in our opinion the building has considerable potential for use as a combined retail outlet and cafe or restaurant, subject to the necessary planning consent.”
Playland sits alongside Swanage Museum, and has an entrance onto High Street
Backs on to Swanage Museum
The spokesperson added:
“Its planning class category is Sui Generis – a term for a land use so unique that it doesn’t fit into any standard class, but because it stands alone any change of use almost always requires full planning permission.
“Whilst it is currently operating as an amusement arcade, there will be a restrictive covenant preventing this use in the future.”
The L-shaped building backs on to Swanage Museum and suggestions have already been put forward that it would provide a perfect opportunity for the museum to expand.
A farewell to seaside games could soon be on the cards
The L-shaped floor plan of Playland Amusements
Further information
- Full details of the sale are on Corbens website
