Local News Stories

Margate on the rise as rejuvenation plans are revealed

Margate could be set for a return to its 1970’s heyday after several new rejuvenation plans were announced for the seaside town.  Despite being the destination for holidaymakers in years gone by, Margate suffered drastically from the emergence of cheap package holidays abroad and had been spiralling downward ever since; with its high street declining faster than any other town in Britain.

There is cause for optimism however as this week the Turner Contemporary Art gallery announced that expectations had been doubled with over 300,000 visitors already having made the trip to the south Kent coast since its opening in April of this year, including her majesty the Queen.  Local businesses are prospering as a result and the Old Town area of Margate is vast becoming a cultural hotspot seen on a par with the likes of Camden and Brighton.

Jessica Woods, 43, has been a chef at the Harbour Café Restaurant, situated just opposite the Gallery itself, for over five years and has noticed the sharp increase in custom better than anyone: “I think the gallery is brilliant. It is exactly what Margate needs and is a great step towards rejuvenating the area. The whole atmosphere of the town has changed, there seems a lot more excitement and optimism now compared to the bleakness of a year or two ago. The café has just finished a record financial year, business is booming and in the summer especially there is a real carnival vibe around the place.”

The derelict site where Dreamland once was has also been targeted for a £10million rejuvenation scheme with plans for the world’s first amusement park consisting entirely of historic rides being put into place. Vintage rides such the ‘Whip’ and the famous ‘Scenic Railway’ are being restored ready for the park which is scheduled for opening in 2013.

The theme park along with the announced construction of a Tesco alongside the seafront are expected to create over 600 jobs for local residents and really help get the ball rolling in Margate once again. It is sure to be a slow and steady process but from seeing the town and talking to the locals it is clear that progress is being made and people’s attitudes towards the town are changing.