The local grapevine appears to be working overtime today, with all the excitement centering around a ridiculous rumour that Bee Gee lookalike Sir Richard Branson is investing in Chas 'n' Dave Margate International Airport!But before you start packing those £9.99 YSL suiters you bought down the market and planning that dream holiday to Benidorm, let's look at the facts. Yes, it has been suggested that some part of Virgin is buying up land out at Manston, including the disused petrol station opposite the Holiday Inn Express (Prospect Inn in old money). But this could be something to do with the odd Virgin flight that already comes into the airport for maintenance or what have you, rather than a masterplan for scheduled flights.
If you really want to fly a kite, it's probably more likely that we're about to get Virgin Galactic's first European spaceport. The sods have just been dug on their US site out in New Mexico, and already 300 sillier sods have forked out $200,000 each to be propelled into space for ten minutes inside a giant firecracker. Branson, who last week got a £200m injection from Manchester City's Sheik Whatsit, has already stated he wants another spaceport in Europe by 2013, although so far the three front runners are in Scotland. Admittedly remotest Jockland would be a safer option from the 'Challenger scenario' point of view, but Manston's oh-so-much closer to London's bustling West End, darling.
Given the parlous state of our airport's finances, and given Sir Branston's hairy upper lip service to environmental issues, this might be the best possible outcome for Chas 'n' Dave Margate International Airport. Lord knows, Branners might install a proper radar system that allows his fireworks to bypass the towns. He might even monitor the noise and air pollution. He might build a spanking new visitor centre and attract tourism to the area.
But I'll bet my dollar bottom that the only Thanetians who'll be able to afford the tickets will be the usual squillionaire suspects!
Blast your arse into space for $200,000
12 comments:
Ooo, excellent, space, the final frontier - there's a trip for me and the girls in WI!
I think you'll find a lot of parallels with this from Spike Milligan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfz9O_mSY1U
The virgin empire stretches a lot further than airlines you know. Maybe we are all getting cable.
Isn't there a mobile home park between the old petrol station and manston? And a road?
The phrase Planet Thanet has come full circle.
I heard the same rumour over a year ago. I was under the impression he was investing into another hotel on the site of the other petrol station.
the old petrol station i mean.
the old petrol station i mean.
Virgin is just doing troop movements.
I wonder if the airport owner; the NZ based company is making a sizeable donation along with Sir Richard to the forces welfare organisations?
Just thought I would ask?
D3
Why do Virgin need land at Manston to do troop movements?
There are plenty of female Thanetians who would be happy to accommodate some troop movements. Couldn't promise that any of them would be virgins though.
Spotted three coach loads of passengers being dropped at Manston on Saturday Morning and boarding a Virgin Atlantic. Overspill perhaps
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