But its towering Parachute Jump ride, restored and lighted in July, has become a symbol of revival.
An £18m refurbishment has taken place with some of the original rides being restored.
Mr. Anderson, who is of Choctaw and Chippewa parentage, acknowledged that he got the idea for KeyLime Cove from the Wisconsin Dells, a resort on the Wisconsin River known for its sandstone cliffs, water shows and rides in restored World War II amphibious vehicles.
Vintage fairground rides are being restored and re-created for the heritage theme park at the Dreamland site in Margate, which is due to open next year.
Jamie Dobson, the owner of the Joke Shop at the bottom of the high street, is not convinced about the benefits of the revived funfair for Margate: "You need to take a lot of money to maintain those small little restored rides, and it is a big spot".
I especially love riding the old, restored industrial lift.
After leasing the ride, the Alberts restored its rickety wood-and-steel frame and reopened it to the public.
The island is open free to the public Friday and Saturday until Sept. 2, including the 10-minute ferry ride from the restored century-old ferry terminal.
Larger groups can book a ride in the restored wooden Bedford coach, the old village bus, for a splendid trip down memory lane, literally: at the wheel is the taverna landlord, the only man in the village apparently skilled in double-declutching down hairpin bends.
Carter, now 38, was born into the funfair of restored vintage rides, founded by his parents John and Anna Carter after they met at art college and discovered a shared passion for ancient machinery and gaudy paint.
