“i live in Margate”

“Ok, I'm not local to Margate, I come from Manchester but I relocated to the town in December 2007 after visiting for 3 years. My view of Margate seems to be matched with others who choose to live here and that is Margate is a town who feels forgoten, down todden and missled. In the 4 years since i first visited Margate I have seen a signifficant change in the environment and the attitude of the locals. After years of neglect things are now starting to happen. The beach is magnificent, a blue flag recipitent no less, the harbour totally refreshed, it is clean and cleansed daily by a team of council workers who really do care about the task. The Turner Gallery is now out of the ground and the cranes are creaking, whilst some beautiful buildings are still lying in decay some are being transformed and regenerated...just take a stroll through the old town, sit outside at one of the bistros or coffee shops, or enjoy a cold drink in one of the pleasant or contemporary or traditional bars... you will meet locals & visitors and genuinly friendly people. Margate is attracting commuters, yes the train takes 1hr 40 to get to victoria (I do it every day) but i know colleagues who live 30 miles from London whose journeys take a similar time (& they have to change trains!). The high speed link is expensive and it doesnt offer much value as its only 20 mins quicker (St Pancras) but the train to Victoria is comfortable and enjoyable. there ARE plenty of day trippers, on weekends the town is rammed with visitors, the council and local commitees have a plethora of activities, live bands, crafts, walks, talks, family fun and plenty to do. The coastline is spectacular (I've already mentioned the beach). So come on folks, give the place a break, give it a chance, if you visited or lived there along time ago (and I mean longer than 4 years), then come back and see for your self. Margate is a diamond in the rough in the truest sense, it does need tlc, it does need more investment but what it really needs is a positive attitude from all, it needs to build relationships with the lost souls who have left dissappointed, it needs commitment, it needs care but over and above everything it really needs you... see you at Victoria, enjoy the journey and love Margate...”

“"This Little Piggie came from Margate"
I spent some of the best years of my life growing up in Margate. On my occasional return visits I felt sad to see its present demise. However, since living in Hollywood California for the past 30 years I have seen this derelict town recently rise from the ashes. There is in fact at present a successful re-development scheme in place in Margate and hopefully Sir Alan's programme will give some further impetus to the town's improvement.
I recently learnt that the town's centrepiece its clock tower once had a working time ball although it's mechanism has not worked in years. If we got it working again it could stand as a beacon for the new Margate.”

“Margate will never rise until all Hotels are rebuilt and Dreamland re-opens and some other 'attractions' are made available for the Public.
Just now, it's a derelict dump!
A dumping ground for drug addicts, criminals, ASBO's, and Illegal Immigrants, and overpaid Councillor's who can't survive making an honest living elsewhere?
ie. 'Goddens gap' some years ago, this place burned down mysteriously. Insurance money was paid out for a re-build, but the gap has been left empty. (Why?)
Strangely, the 'roller coaster' (owned by the same man) also burned down about 1 and a half years ago. This was promised to be opened and running for Easter this year, but still remains a burned out untouched wreck.

The High Street is empty, with shop after empty shop. Basically down to 'Primark, Burton's and KFC in the lower bit with just a bit more in the upper High Street.

Totally discouraging to any visitor or Families wanting to settle here.

I complained the other week about our streets not having had their weekly sweep, only to be told that the Council had now stopped regular sweeping and would only go into action if somebody complained.
What a bunch of crook's - charging all that extra Council Tax and reducing services.
Sorry to 'gripe' but all this is true.
Margate will sink lower, because of the present Council (non) Action Attitude.

I look forward to watching next weeks prgramme - if only to hear the lies about Margate going National.
Councillors are treading on very VERY thin ice at the moment and it will take a lot of guts to cure the problem. This present bunch are totally incapable of success.

For the sake of Thanet, they (TDC) should all resign without claim of any further monies claims.

Oh, there are some new buses (after 20 years of boneshaker ones) and the new High Speed Train service starts soon (to London) for £2.00 per minute per journey.... those prices will certainly NOT bring more tourists to Thanet.

Oh, and the Turner Contemporary Art Centre will bring cheer to the hearts of all those criminals and drug addicts in the area. whoooopeeeee!!!!”

“Margate's first problem is the transport link from london, it is only 70 miles away and takes an hour and forty - if you are lucky. If you don't make places easy to get to people won't bother.
After that Margate could do with taking a leaf out of Broadstairs book; invest in cafes, bars, pubs and make it a place you want to be - after all it has 9 miles of lovely sand but nowhere lovely to sit and look at it.
I'm in marketing, I'd be more than happy to give Brian a few pointers.”

“Margate needs something to bring in daytripers. It will never be a holiday place again. People what holidays in nice weather. This we can do nothing about. But we can offer days out. We need thing inside aswell as outside. All the children I have spoken to have said an icerink would be a place they would use all year round. Please dont forget the local people as they need things to do aswell.”

“This will be interesting. I used to go on holiday / days out to Margate as a child in the early 70s.

In my opinion Margate is going to have a difficult time when people can go abroad for sun and fun (beer) on the cheap.

I am looking forward to seeing what the show comes up with, I expect it will be limited and without real thought for the real heritage of the town - DREAMLAND!

Any revamp needs to include a NEW Dreamland ... that is not expensive but makes a day out / week stay fun, a decent Theatre wouldn't go a miss either.

why not ask the people of Kent what they want in Margate?

Leslie”