News Blast: Council to auction empty shops and more

Thanet District Council can now auction off leases of long-term empty business properties in Margate’s Old Town, Northdown Road and Ramsgate town centre under the High Street Rental Auction legislation. To find out more about what this means, TDC will hold a drop in information session at the council offices on Thursday May 7, 1pm-4.30pm. If you’ve got questions but can’t make the date, email hsrentals@thanet.gov.uk.

Margate’s Social Singing Choir have announced that they will release a new original song called Wash Over Me to mark World Ocean Day on Monday, June 8. Written by choir leader Hughie Gavin, the single will raise money for the Whale Wise charity. The choir is also set to perform an ocean-themed show at the Drill Shed in Cliftonville on Friday, May 22. 

The Margaret Bryan gallery at Margate Caves has put out an open call for A6 sized works for their exhibition Small Wonders, July 17 to November 1. The theme is science and the natural world, and the deadline is Friday, July 3. Find out more.

Staple Stores in Ramsgate will open for evenings, Thursday to Saturday, starting Friday, May 1. No booking required, just rock up for wines and simple, but no doubt delicious fare. 

Sea Scrub Sauna has announced plans to build a new sauna at Viking Bay in Broadstairs. If approved, this would be the company’s fifth venue, in addition to locations in Margate, Folkestone, Faversham and Whitstable. The plans propose a two storey building with two saunas, cold plunge, changing rooms and a cafe. “Broadstairs has a very special quality to it,” says co-founder Robin Bartlett. “The coves, the cliffs, the community. It felt like the right place for a site that genuinely earns its setting. We’re hoping to create something the town is proud of.”

Pom on Margate’s Harbour Arm has reopened for weekend service, with trading hours extending into the warmer months. Head down for cocktails and small bites under the sun. 

Developers Arcvelop and Brede Hotels have submitted a planning application to Thanet District Council to convert the Nayland Rock Hotel in Margate into 50 flats, 16 serviced apartments and a restaurant. In its proposal, Arcvelop says that it offers a “sustainable mixed-use redevelopment that secures the long-term conservation of the Nayland Rock building and enhances its role within Margate’s seafront and wider community.” Arcvelop has previously completed a number of other local projects, including Ramsgate’s Albion residences. See the planning application. 

Broadstairs Folk Week has announced that it is publishing a limited edition zine, celebrating the festival’s six decade history. Created with photographer and writer Imogen Tinkler, the 36 page publication will be filled with memories of BFWs past - including those of festival fans who ore-order a copy. Only 200 copies will be produced with £7 of the £12 cover prize going towards funding this year's festival. Copies will arrive in late May. Pre-order now. 

Gallery@37 is now open in Broadstairs, showcasing work by local, national and international artists and makers. Find it on the High Street. Follow on Instagram.

Turner Contemporary has announced a new exhibition by Sophie Calle, set to launch this autumn. It will be the artist’s first exhibition in the UK since 2009 and is being brought to Margate in collaboration with the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in the US and De Pont Museum in the Netherlands. Titled Something Missing?, it will feature work spanning 40 years. It is set to run from October 3 to January 24. 

The Royston in Ramsgate has been named CAMRA’s Thanet Pub of the Year for the fourth year running. The prize will officially be presented on Wednesday, May 6 at 6.30pm. The pub will be serving celebratory cheeseboards from 6pm. 

Want to say more than bonjour and hola when in France or Spain? A new language exchange group will meet the first Thursday of every month at The White Swan pub in Broadstairs, and anyone looking to brush up on their French and Spanish speaking skills are welcome. The next session is on Thursday, May 7 at 6.30pm. Free.