Launch of Ramsgate’s Seafront Placemaking project

Seafront Placemaking is the final project as part of the Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone, now reaching the end of its fifth and final year. The Heritage Action Zone aims to engage with the local community and organisations to understand what makes the heritage in Ramsgate really special, to share the findings and stories, and to protect and improve the town’s heritage for the future.

This project will focus on Ramsgate’s seafront from West to East Cliffs and along the seafront promenades. It will explore the past, present and future of the seafront, looking at the values that created it, and recording what Ramsgate seafront means to the local community today and for the future. The project aims to contribute to the understanding of place and bring to life the story of Ramsgate’s seafront through creativity. 

The Ramsgate Heritage Action Zone Partnership Board has appointed specialist heritage consultants Tricolor Ltd, to deliver the programme. The project will culminate with a Statement of Heritage Significance for the seafront prepared in conjunction with the community. There will also be a final report which will include summary findings, recommendations and prioritised future project proposals.

The Seafront Placemaking project is funded by a Historic England grant and will run until May 2022. A mixture of online and in person workshops, discussions and debate will take place alongside community surveys. Over the next three months, activities will include exploring Ramsgate seafront in art, schools events, community engagement sessions and future planning workshops. We are keen to engage as many people in the local community as possible and will be advertising how and where you can get involved on our website and social media channels.

Cllr Reece Pugh, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Thanet District Council said:

“We’re thrilled to see this exciting and ambitious project moving forward. There is so much untapped potential in the history and memories of Ramsgate’s seafront. Understanding how it has changed already will help us imagine its future potential and how this can be unlocked. 

“We urge as many people as possible to get involved, share ideas and engage with the various activities planned over the next three months. The HAZ has been a catalyst for wider regeneration and funding within Ramsgate, with heritage and local character at its heart.”

Liz Pollard, Heritage at Risk Project Officer at Historic England commented:

“We’re very excited to see the launch of this uniquely people-centred project which will really reveal how the community use, value and experience Ramsgate’s iconic seafront.  We hope that it will encourage the community to view and explore the seafront from different perspectives and build community momentum to take forward further projects in the future.”

Kezia Cole, Senior Consultant at Tricolor Ltd added:

“We are very excited to be a part of the Seafront Placemaking Project and to meet the people and communities which make up this stunning historic town. We can’t wait to uncover people’s memories and experiences of the seafront, and discover what the communities of Ramsgate hope for the future of this fascinating slice of seaside.”