News Blast: Ramsgate's Discovery Planet receives royal award and more

Discovery Planet receives the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, anger at local councils selling off buildings, cafes and pubs change ownership, and which Thanet street has been deemed one of the coolest in the world? The latest creative and cultural news from across Thanet.

Ramsgate’s Discovery Planet, which runs STEM workshops and events for children, has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Equivalent to an MBE, it recognises outstanding examples of work in the voluntary sector. “Each event is a huge group effort, and over the years literally thousands of hours of volunteer time have gone into making our project impactful and joyous,” says the organisation. “This award is for everyone who has been involved over the last decade, in whatever capacity.”

Discovery Planet Ramsgate returns to pop-up STEM events

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Thanet District Council has announced plans to sell the old service depot in Pierremont Park, Broadstairs on the open market. Local group Friends of Pierremont Park has launched a petition calling on the council to reverse the decision, instead ensuring that it is used only for purposes that benefit the community. “It can only be accessed via a path through part of the park itself, and any commercial development is likely to damage the park environment and lead to a loss of trees and shrubs,” says the group. Find out more and sign.

Meanwhile, TDC has delayed a decision on the construction of a cafe and community centre at Walpole Bay in Margate. At a meeting on Wednesday, councillors voted against approving the development due to concerns including loss of parking spaces, impact on wildlife, and the viability of the business. Chair of the committee Councillor Helen Crittenden said that she was “not convinced yet of the problems this development is intended to solve.” Instead, councillors voted to visit the proposed site on December 5 before making a final decision. 

Kent County Council has put Broadstairs Memorial Hall, which is home to the Sarah Thorne Theatre, up for sale. The building is due to go to auction next month with a guide price of £350,000. The move comes a month after the theatre signed a new five year lease, and as it emerged that KCC has increased overspending by almost £20 million in the six months since Reform took control. The planned sale has met with opposition from the theatre and Broadstairs & St Peter’s Town Council. See details of the auction. 

Got a little designer in your house looking for their next project? Mayor of Margate Katie Pope is holding a competition to design her Christmas and New Year’s cards this year. The competition is open to all children living or attending school in Margate. They can design cards based on the themes ‘Margate at Christmas’ and ‘Welcoming the New Year’. The winning designs will feature on the Mayor’s official cards, and they will receive a signed copy of their design and a book token. The deadline is Sunday, November 30. Submit your entries.

Cafe G in Margate Old Town is set to close after 21 years at the end of 2025. Owner Daniel Goldman says he wants to spend more time with his family, but will continue to work as a hospitality consultant. Set to close on New Year’s Eve, the building won’t be sitting empty for long. An expanding local business has already agreed to take it over in the new year. 

Margate’s Mulberry Tree pub is under new management. It has been taken over by Jonathon Wood - who is also landlord of the Northern Bell in the Old Town - and his nephew Aaron Apps. Their first day of trading was Friday. 

Ramsgate Thrift Store is moving. The shop is set to open up in its new home, a short walk down the High Street in the former HSBC bank building on the corner of King Street. Double the size of its existing store, it is expected to open before Christmas. The current location at 76 High Street is now up for rent. 

Lukes Guitars in Ramsgate is set to be converted into a three bed home. The shop was owned for many years by former Animals drummer Barrie Jenkins, but shut down after his death in 2024. Thanet District Council has now approved planning permission to turn it into a residential property, removing the shop front entirely. 

Northdown Road in Cliftonville is OFFICIALLY the 31st coolest street in the world. According to Time Out, at least. It’s also at the bottom of the magazine’s list. Not sure if we should be offended because the Thanet strip came last or because 31st feels like a consolation prize. Whatever, the NDR’s slightly less cool than Boulevard Pasteur in Tangier and we have to just accept that.

The 31 coolest streets in the world in 2025

Food, fun, culture and community – these streets have it all

Time Out WorldwideLívia Breves