BACKGROUND
The dolpharium was owned by Louis Holloway and Keith Franklin and
situated in the converted swimming pool of a former Butlin's Hotel,
which became an entertainment complex and motel. As well as the
dolphinarium at Cliftonville, the company Queens Entertainments Ltd also
ran a number of seasonal dolphinariums at Skegness, Southend-on-Sea and
West Midland Safari Park; for one season in 1971, the company presented
a show at Salonika in Greece.
In 1974 the dolphinarium also house four dolphins
belonging to Aquatic Mammal Enterprises, which in that summer supplied
the last dolphin display at Cleethropes Zoo. The company also supplied
one or more dolphins for a summer season display in the
nineteen-sevenies at Flamingo Park Zoo. At one time, Queens
Entertainments had business connections with Marine Mammals
International.
The Queen's Hotel was demolished in November 1978 and the Queen's Court housing development now stands on the site.
The Queen's Hotel was demolished in November 1978 and Queen's Court housing development now stands on the site.
This was an indoor, permanent pool, adapted from an existing swimming pool, 21.34 x 10.67 x 2.74 - 3.66 m deep, with underwater viewing from the hotel bar. Margate was a major centre for seasonal shows, animals going out to Skegness and Southend in summer and wintering at Margate or doing winter shows elsewhere. Animals were provided for one or two summers to West Midland Safari Park and for one summer to Flamingo. Liverpool, Bradford and other Council swimming pools were used for short, seasonal shows. The Queen's Entertainment Centre leased dolphins from Aquatic Mammals Enterprises. In October 1974, the six animals present were owned by the then main company, with others leased. Mr Holloway and Mr Franklin are listed as trainers in 1974. Mr Garcia also trained here. Queen's International Dolphins of Thanet operated until 1980 as suppliers, collectors and trainers of dolphins. The last pair were said to be Bonnie and Clyde, sold to Gasser. Ixia Trading Company was another Margate based company supplying dolphins.
Some postcard views of the hotel when owned by Butlins
The Dolphinarium
Video of the Queen's Hotel Dolphinarium