Regeneration projects are moving ahead in both Margate and Ramsgate.
Significant progress has been made on the Margate Digital project; a contractor has been appointed to deliver three projects within Ramsgate’s Pathfinder scheme and the project to refurbish Ramsgate’s Clock House building has moved to the next phase. Planning permission has been granted to refurbish the public toilets at Margate Main Sands, with the addition of new accessible facilities, and the Margate Creative Land Trust has bought its first property.
Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said: “The regeneration funding that the council has been successful in securing for Margate and Ramsgate, will make significant improvements not just to the two towns, but to the wider district. Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, and I are both very optimistic about the impact that these projects will have on the two towns and the wider district.
“The range of projects will improve the lives of residents with broader employment opportunities in exciting, forward-looking industries, through the Margate Digital centre. The Pathfinder scheme in Ramsgate has the potential to bring new jobs in the maritime sector, through the Green Campus. The Clock House and Harbour Placemaking schemes will redefine the Royal Harbour area, with new facilities for local people and visitors to the town.
“This is an exciting time for the district. A lot of hard work and planning has taken place behind the scenes to get us to this point, but we’re now starting to see tangible progress with planning applications submitted and contractors on site.”
Margate Digital
A significant milestone has been reached in the delivery of the Margate Digital campus, with East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) taking on the lease for 53-57 High Street in the heart of Margate. The building will house Margate Digital, a 2,000sqm specialist training centre focusing on digital technologies. The ambition is to inspire a diverse range of people and provide them with the skills to gain employment in the digital and creative sectors.
The project is led by EKC Group, in partnership with Thanet District Council, and made possible by £6.3m funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. EKC Group has committed a further £720,000 for specialist equipment.
The property, formerly occupied by Marks & Spencer, has been empty since 2017. So far, work has been completed to remove asbestos and repair the roof, funded by a £750,000 grant through the government’s Town Deal fund.
Jenner Contractors Ltd were selected to deliver the refurbishments through a competitive tendering process to ensure best value. Work has started and is expected to be completed in the autumn. The first students are expected to enrol on courses starting in the Autumn 2025.
Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO at East Kent Colleges Group, said: “We anticipate that more than 200 learners, aged 16 to 19-years-old, will benefit from the specialist training and facilities at Margate Digital within its first four years. A range of qualifications in creative and digital will be taught. The centre will also deliver short courses for adults in a variety of subject areas, as well as programmes to help people gain employment in the creative and wider industries across East Kent.”
Martin Sandall, Managing Director of Jenner added: “We are delighted to be back working with both EKC Group and Thanet District Council as such valued, longstanding clients. Jenner are fully committed to nurturing future industry skills and are working closely with EKC Group to ensure employment-ready students emerge. Delivering these new facilities gives us a further platform to showcase our sector and guide young talent coming forwards through targeted work placements, visits, and more.”
Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd appointed to deliver schemes in Ramsgate
Thanet District Council secured £19.8m of Levelling Up Funding for Ramsgate in August 2021.
In December 2024, Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd was appointed to three regeneration projects in Ramsgate. The Kent-based firm will deliver the town’s Green Campus, Clock House and Harbour Placemaking schemes as part of the Thanet Pathfinder/Levelling Up programme.
Thanet’s participation in the government’s Simplification Pathfinder Pilot has made it possible to appoint Willmott Dixon to deliver the three schemes.
Richard Poulter, Managing Director at Construction South said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as the contractor for this exciting project through the Scape framework. Having been involved since spring 2024, we look forward to bringing our expertise to deliver another exceptional, high-quality project in Kent.
“Our strong commitment to social value and sustainability, aligned with Thanet District Council’s approach, prioritises local employment and enablement through business opportunities, ensuring the project will not only benefit the community during construction but also ensure it leaves a lasting legacy well beyond its completion.”
Matt Brooks, Director of Project Management at AECOM, said: “Having worked closely with Thanet District Council to develop and procure the Pathfinder (regeneration) schemes, we look forward to working collaboratively with Willmott Dixon Construction. WDC’s delivery of these transformative schemes at Ramsgate will afford opportunities for the local labour and supplier markets and, upon completion, provide buildings and places that enhance Ramsgate and benefit those who live and work there.”
It is expected that work on the three schemes will start in summer 2025, with completion anticipated in 2026.
There is further information on the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot on the council’s website.
Clock House, Ramsgate
Of the Levelling Up funding awarded, £3.36m was allocated to refurbishing the Clock House building, in Ramsgate Royal Harbour, and bringing it back to life as a heritage hub for the town.
Since the Clock House building was returned to the council in November 2023, the electrical wiring has been upgraded and made safe, and urgent repairs to the stonework facades completed.
A planning application was submitted in February 2025. If approved, the Grade II* listed building will be refurbished to provide a heritage and community space and new café. It is hoped that work will start on site in late spring 2025, and will be completed by spring 2026.
Alongside the work to restore the building, the project to audit the collection is nearing completion. A team of trained volunteers have been working with the Museum Curator cataloguing the objects within the former Maritime Museum building.
Facilities for the Fishing Industry
A further £100,000 of Levelling Up Funding is allocated to investing in quayside fishing facilities at the Royal Harbour, to support the growth and resilience of the Ramsgate’s fishing community. The Fishermen’s Association submitted a list of proposed projects, which have been estimated to cost more than the £100,000 available.
The project team is working on potential design solutions to identify whether there is greater value that can be identified within the existing funding allocation.
Margate Main Sands to see new public toilet facilities
Plans have been approved for the construction of two new buildings to house accessible toilet and baby changing facilities at Margate Main Sands. The development will link to the existing underground toilets on Marine Drive, which have been closed for a number of years.
The new buildings will be located at promenade level. They will be constructed above the existing toilets, which will be refurbished. The buildings will be finished to match the nearby beachside kiosk. The new buildings will be fully accessible.
Cabinet approved this proposal in September 2024. The contract for these works has an estimated value of £358k. It is anticipated that works will start in 2025. The new toilets are expected to open ahead of the summer season in 2026.
The Cabinet report can be found on the council website.
Margate Creative Land Trust purchases first property
The Margate Creative Land Trust was set up in 2022, with funding from the Margate Town Deal. The Trust aims to tackle the challenges that the local property market presents to creative businesses, and to people looking to take their first steps into a creative career.
The Trust has reached a significant milestone in purchasing its first property, the former St George’s Garage on Harold Road. The ambition is to refurbish the building as a mixed-use studio space for businesses in the creative sector.
Find out more about this project on the MCLT website.
Upcoming Cabinet reports
Reports outlining recommendations for the Margate Winter Gardens and the Port of Ramsgate Infrastructure Project will be presented to Cabinet for consideration in spring 2025.
Further information will be shared once the timeline for these reports has been confirmed.
Photo credit: Lee Evans Partnership LLP
