The post you are reporting:
Howard, as you say you did not live here in those days, I did and the WCE was rubbish, and a prime example of what you will find in Dover. i.e. Whatever the political complexion of the local council it makes little difference to the outcome if you vote for stupid people.
In essence in the late 70s the York Archaeological Trust decided to develop the Jorvik Viking Centre on a brownfield factory site, which after extensive excavations, had been discovered to be the site of a well preserved Viking city (the wet clay of the ground which contained little oxygen had preserved over 40,000 artefacts from the Viking time). The centre opened in 1984 and has had over 20 million visitors to date.
DDC (I believe Conservative at this time Mr Watkins?) decided that if they set up a history centre then they would no doubt have the same success, in spite of the fact that they were not sitting on a unique preserved archaeological site (which some might say was in fact one of the unique selling points of the Jorvik centre!)
Ignoring the excellent Roman Painted House, which really is worth a visit, they called in the consultants (latter day equivalents of the tailors in the Emperor's New Clothes) who convinced them that the WCE would generate 300,000 visitors a year, regenerating the entire economy of Dover, and all for the price of £24 million.
It was built and it was awful. It was patronising. It was embarrassing. It opened in 1991.
In a theatrical experience Sid the Seagull and Corporal Crab popped in and out of sight, slightly out of synch with the soundtrack, telling a dumbed down version of 2000 years of history in 10 excruciating minutes.
There was a section with bombed out and dilapidated houses and shops, which, if it wasn't for the soundtrack of sirens and bombing, made you think you had walked accidentally through the exit and were on the High Street again.
There was, however, a bit of Roman wall, so it wasn't all bad.
No-one came. The cutting edge (sic) animatronics and shows (laser discs, carousel slide projectors and 35mm film projectors, etc.) had quickly dated and were breaking down and by 1998 needed replacing. Meanwhile the Conservative group blamed anyone but themselves for the fiasco claiming people were 'talking Dover down'. Running costs continued rocketing.
In 1997 Labour took over the council. Totally different people but with remarkably similar level of general intelligence.
Their theory was that policies for regenerating Dover should rely on attracting industry and DDC should act as an 'enabler' rather than a provider of heritage and tourism facilities.
The tourism budget was slashed and before long they decided to cut their losses and close the WCE.
You will notice how much industry they have attracted with the change of policy!