Jimmy Godden (entrepreneur)

Jimmy Godden (died 2012) was one of the most high-profile businessmen in Kent, England prior to his death from cancer. He was famous for his involvement in a range of high-profile venues and projects including Dreamland Margate, the Rotunda Amusement Park in Folkestone, and Ramsgate Pleasure Park.

Personal life
Godden was born in Folkestone, Kent. He was married twice and had three sons.

He started a career as a builder, prior to marrying into a family heavily involved in Folkestone Rotunda.

Business interests
His business interests were primarily in the entertainment sector, owning a large number of businesses including amusement arcades across the South of England under his JG Amusements brand.

He was the owner of the Folkestone Rotunda amusement park which was a high-profile entertainment site on the seafront, prior to Godden closing the park and selling it for redevelopment.

Godden purchased the Feathers Funfair in Dymchurch in 1992.

The listed 18th century Ark cafe in Folkestone was pulled down by Godden after claims of hurricane damage, against the wishes of local conservationists.

In 1995, Godden purchased Dreamland Margate from the Bembom family. After his purchase of the park, Godden was able to secure European and regional grant aid to assist in an initial £3m redevelopment. However, during Godden's tenure many of the rides were sold off, including the big wheel which had dominated the Margate skyline for two decades which was dismantled and sold to a park in Mexico, and the looping swingboat Mary Rose.

A number of Godden's assets were lost or badly damaged in fires, some of which were though to be arson. This included the listed Scenic Railway at Dreamland which was damaged in an arson attack on 7 April 2008. as well as fire destroying his Pleasurama fun park in Ramsgate, and the Mr G arcade on Margate seafront in front of his Dreamland park, leaving a space between buildings known by locals as "Godden's Gap".

Failed projects
Godden was involved in a number of projects which failed to materialise. In the mid-1990s Godden's Chamelion Group proposed a major leisure complex on the derelict Ramsgate Hoverport with 250 holiday apartments, an indoor ski slope, swimming pool, and other amenities, which was proposed to be part-funded with European Union development grants, the scheme led to the demolition of the old terminal, but negotiations broke down with Thanet District Council in 1996.

At his Pleasurama park on Ramsgate seafront, on the site of the former Ramsgate Harbour railway station, Godden had permission for the development of a shopping centre, but it was destroyed by fire before this could be brought to fruition, and was compulsory purchased by Thanet District Council.

Criminal conviction
Godden plead guilty to bribery of a councillor on Thanet District Council in March 1991, and was given a six-month suspended jail term, as well as a £25k fine.

Kidnap
Godden and one of his sons were kidnapped by men in balaclavas in December 1991, with the aim of extracting a ransom. The kidnapping was abandoned when a police patrol happened upon the kidnap in progress, and the kidnappers fled. Property worth £100,000 was taken and Godden's insurance company offered a £10,000 reward for information leasing to the conviction of the gang.

Membership
Godden was chairman of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Amusements (BALPPA) from 2000 to 2002.

Death
He died from cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in March 2012.