News Blast: Ramsgate beer maker named Brewer of the Year and more

Ramsgate Brewery founder Eddie Gadd has been named Brewer of the Year 2026 by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. He received the prize at a dinner in the Houses of Parliament earlier this month, attended by MPs, peers and other representatives of the drinks industry. “To be recognised by Parliament and our industry peers is an incredible honour,” he said. “This award isn’t just for me; it’s a testament to our fantastic team at the brewery and the brilliant Kentish hop growers who make our beer possible.”

The Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs is set to hold a number of public events to share plans to modernise the theatre. The venue was purchased by theater founder Michael Wheatley-Ward after it failed to sell at auction last year. The first drop-in session will take place on Saturday, July 4 from 3-7pm. 

EKC Broadstairs College has officially unveiled its new Margate Digital Campus. The new state-of-the-art creative hub on Margate High Street offers courses for young people hoping to work in the creative industries, with its intake set to reach 200 students within three years. “The state‑of‑the‑art facilities showcase the exceptional equipment available to our students, alongside an innovative curriculum designed to prepare them for the future,” says EKC CEO Lucy McLeod. “We are very much looking forward to seeing them thrive in this inspiring new environment.”

New Japan-inspired matcha bar Umibō has opened in the Funicular Hub overlooking Broadstairs’ Viking Bay beach. Sitting above the lovely Finxs beach bar, it has a menu of amazing looking matcha-based drinks, plus other cold brews and artisan gelato. Check out what’s on offer. 

Margate Radio has put out its first ever vinyl release, Strings & Drummers by Robert Stillman. The record expands solo improvisations by Stillman on his Margate Radio show over the last five years into hypnotic chamber music pieces. Buy the record on Bandcamp. And if you’re in London today, you can see some of the pieces performed live at the Horse Hospital. Tickets £12. 

Curzon has announced that it is closing its Canterbury Westgate cinema next month. It will continue to operate its separate Canterbury Riverside venue. “As audience habits have evolved in recent years, we have made the difficult decision to focus our investment on Canterbury Riverside, allowing us to continue delivering the best possible cinema experience for audiences in the region,” says the company.

Fab Broadstairs plant shop Plantlet is set to close after seven years at the end of next month. “The shop isn’t closing because I don’t love it anymore,” says owner Izzi Brown. “I really do. And it isn’t because the shop has suddenly stopped doing well. But over the last year I’ve found myself craving something different … I’ve realised I want to close the shop while I still love it, while I’m still proud of it, and while it still feels like the happy little shop I always wanted it to be.” Be sure to pay a visit and pick up a plant over the next month.