TV comedy production company Hat Trick has teamed up with Margate-based stand up promoter Chump’s to launch a new live comedy touring division. Pictured above, Simon Morley and Becca Thomason of Chump’s will work with Hat Trick scripted comedy producer Queenie Miller on the new operation. “We are at heart a comedy company and want to produce comedy wherever people want to watch it - television, YouTube and in theatres,” says Hat Trick founder Jimmy Mulville. At launch, they have a roster including Freya Parker, Ada & Bron, and Kimberley Hart-Simpson. Hat Trick is known for shows such as Have I Got News For You, Derry Girls, and Father Ted.
Andy Malt
Thanet District Council’s planning committee has approved renovation plans for the Theatre Royal in Margate. A contractor can now be appointed to carry out the work on the venue, which has been closed since 2022. “This project is about far more than preserving a building and undertaking structural repairs. Our aim is to make the theatre accessible to all and a welcoming and inclusive space,” says Councillor Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property. “We are modernising our services and integrating sustainable energy, securing the theatre’s operation for generations to come.” It is hoped that the theatre will reopen its doors for the 2027 panto season. Find out more.
Southern Water has been fined more than £7 million for illegally dumping sewage off the coast at Margate and Broadstairs between 2019 and 2021. The company pleaded guilty to 13 charges back in April. The company has received almost 175 convictions for illegal discharges since 1999. Meanwhile, Southern Water’s former CEO Matthew Wright and two other former employees have been charged with devising an alleged plan to manipulate water quality tests in order to avoid paying financial penalties.
Cliftonville LGBTQ+ bar CAMP has announced that it is to close. Its owners say that in April their landlord proposed a 30% rent increase, which they negotiated down to 10%. “After that, our relationship with our landlord became strained, and noise complaints began arriving with a frequency we’d never seen before,” they explain in a statement. They say that a proposed resolution discussed with Thanet District Council “simply isn’t viable” for the business. In addition to this, a temporary events notice for planned Pride celebrations at Neon Ballroom has also been rejected, forcing a cancellation. The exact date that the bar will close is yet to be announced.
In another Northdown Road closure, after four years Riding Wine Co., formerly Streets, has announced it too will close its doors. No reason has been given as to why the venue will close. However, the team say they are “leaving with hearts completely full”. A closing down sale is now on, and will continue until the bar and wine shop shuts sometime in mid to late August.
Nestled between Angela’s restaurant and Angela’s bar on the Parade in Margate Old Town is new ice cream parlour Angela’s Ices. Serving scoops made using ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, it is selling a wide array of unusual flavours. These include things like banana, miso and butterscotch; salted pumpkin seed; and white chocolate and blue cheese. More traditional flavours are also available for the less adventurous.
EKC Broadstairs College’s Margate Digital Campus has put out a call for local artists to submit proposals for graffiti or mural installations in the building. The artwork should reflect Margate and its heritage. The winning bid will have a budget of up to £15,000. Email media@ekcgroup.ac.uk for more information.
Grassroots music festival Compass returns to Folkestone on November 27-28. It is currently accepting applications from bands keen to play. The final line up will feature 40 independent acts from the UK, Ireland, France and Belgium. Find out more and apply.
Seabird Ramsgate has revealed it will reopen as Blackbird. Rumour has it, when it opens, it will be more of a bar than a restaurant.
New bar Cockle & Hen has opened on Margate’s seafront, taking over the space previously occupied by Dory’s. Owned by Northdown Brewery’s Katie and Jonny Spanjar, it aims to be “cosy and inviting with a low lit swagger.”
Modern Love has opened in Cliftonville, the new bar taking over what was previously Daisy. It is run by Jen Riley and Joseph Boley, the team behind Paris cocktail bar Sister Midnight. Pop in for cocktails, wine, beer and snacks.
New cafe Abigail’s has opened in Margate on Marine Gardens. Serving tea, coffee, baked goods and a delicious menu of bagels, it’s open seven days a week from 7am to 3pm.
Willy’s in Margate is now open for brunch. Available 9am-2pm daily. Start your day with decadent brunch dishes of the likes of bacon and burrata on toast, potted trout and poached eggs or a classic full English. For something even more lavish, begin your brunch with a maldon oyster with a champagne mignonette.
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