It was reported in February that the Council has money to offer to businesses wishing to move into new shops in Margate and Ramsgate.

GRANTS of up to £2,500 are being offered to encourage businesses to move into vacant shops in the centres of Margate and Ramsgate.

“The money, given to Thanet council by the government, can be used to fund items including the fit-out of the premises, buying equipment, and cleaning and decorating the premises.

Businesses must set up in property that has been empty for at least a month and it will need to be accessible to the public and have a sound business plan.

The money cannot be used for day-to-day management or administration costs and will be aimed at specific businesses.”

It is now 3 months later and all we have seen is another shop, Gameworld, leave.

This new initiative seems to fall short. £2,500 doesn’t go very far when it comes to putting some of these eyesore shops back on track. The Council need to be woo-ing and lobbying businesses to come and set up in Margate. It will only take reassurements that they will not let the decline continue before anyone considers a ‘gamble’ on setting up a shop in Margate.

Source BBC

Artist Tracey Emin has unveiled her latest work as a love letter to the seaside town where she spent her childhood and teenage years.

I Never Stopped Loving You is a pink neon text installed on the facade of Droit House, a distinctive building on the seafront at Margate.

The sculpture also marks the last year before the £17.4m Turner Contemporary is due for completion – in 2011.

The art gallery will be one of the linchpins of regeneration for the town.

I Never Stopped Loving You, which is in Emin’s own handwriting, was commissioned by Turner Contemporary with the support of Thanet District Council.

‘Beautiful place’

Emin said she came up with the idea for the neon artwork for Margate quite a few years ago, but it was at first refused by the council.

“I was very hurt as I felt that my neon was a show of love and affection for the place in which I grew up,” she said.

“Now I’m very happy to see that Margate is welcoming back neon.

“I feel that it’s a shame that the Golden Mile has lost its lighted crowning glory, Margate needs neon to bring it back to its former glory.

“Everyone who is associated with Margate, whether it’s their past or their present, should never stop loving Margate.

“This neon is for everyone that knows that Margate is a truly beautiful place.”

It has been reported that the Black Cab drivers who bring hundreds of disadvantaged children to Margate annually, have cancelled due to lack of support from Thanet Council.

Other reports claim that Margate offers no interest to the Albany Charity who take the youngsters to other Seaside towns like Herne Bay and Hastings.

What does this say for Margate’s attractions that not even ‘disadvantaged children’ would get something from the town?

“… I wish it could be Christmas every day..” a wise long haired rocker once said. Well he should come to Margate and visit The Centre, where the decorations have been up for 30 months now.

It is time to put a stop to this nonsense.

People are walking around in flip flops and shorts amongst the Xmas decorations for the second summer in Margate.

It’s time to start the “Take them Down” campaign.

Comment below if you agree and contact the council with the demand ‘Take them Down’ in the subject line.

Email Thanet District Council HERE

Someone had the insight to post this picture on the front at Margate.

It did say
“Margate….Twinned with Peckham“

Someone has ripped that bit away.

I haven’t been to Peckham but if it is the benchmark for gaugeing Margate’s decline then I feel sorry for it.