News Blast: Venue openings galore across Thanet
If you like eating and drinking in Thanet, you just got a whole lot more options. This and more news from across the district.
As the tourist crowd arrives for the hot weather, Thanet is alive with new business launches. One Thanet eatery has bucked this trend by branching out abroad instead. This and more news from Margate, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and beyond below.
The Old Wine Warehouse in Ramsgate has officially launched. Refurbished by Heritage Lab, the building comprises co-working space, a 60 seat arts venue, and space for a café/restaurant with an outdoor seating area in Charlotte Court. The venue, called Ramsgate Arts Club, is currently open for drinks on Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm. It will soon host live music, comedy, alt-cabaret, film screenings, spoken word and a range of community-led events.
In a move that really feels like someone panicked in a marketing meeting and just screamed, “WHAT ABOUT SOMETHING IN MARGATE?”, fancy London department store Fortnum & Mason has taken over the Margate branch of Peter’s Fish Factory until the end of July. The popular fish and chip shop is currently selling a menu of food and drinks using F&M ingredients, including “Fortnum’s legendary 181 Sauce”.
With Ramsgate and Westgate forming their own councils in 2009 and 2015 respectively, the push for a Margate Town Council is happening. Following a meeting on July 10, a two stage consultation with the public will begin looking at whether residents want more focus and money spent in Margate, with a deciding vote to come after.
Reform county councillor Paul Webb, who is Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services, has bragged on Twitter that he has told all Kent libraries to move any “trans ideological material and books” out of their children’s sections. This was reportedly triggered by a complaint from a member of the public over a book titled The Autistic Trans Guide to Life, which offers “autistic trans and/or non-binary adults all the tools and strategies they need to live as their very best self.” So, if you’re looking for a positive here, it sounds like that one at least was placed in the wrong section and will now be easier to find for those who really need it. Kent Libraries has now stated that its 99 libraries will ensure that "no adult literature makes its way into areas specifically aimed at children." And as Reform-controlled council KCC ramps up its culture war rhetoric, take a moment to appreciate grassroots organisations like Margate Queer Library & Archive.
Zita Whalley
Ex-Margatonian Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka Self Esteem) will release her first book, A Complicated Woman, on October 30. Not a novel, but “notes, lyrics and biting observational prose”, the work looks at the messiness of womanhood. Sharing its title with her latest album, the book, she says, explores the ongoing themes of her work “in a longer form and without the pressure to put it to a melody.”
Broadstairs’ ice cream parlour Morelli’s has launched a new Margate branch on Marine Drive, underneath the Pearly Cow. Yes, the unit once occupied by Melt, for those keeping score. Replacing Guesthouse No 42’s private dining room and meeting space, the shop has done its best to echo the 1950s vibe of the original Broadstairs parlour.
Sticking with ice cream, Scoop is now open in Ramsgate. Run by Staple Stores, it takes over their old cafe space, which has now relocated to a larger unit further up York Street.
Broadstairs’ Delilah’s Bar now has picky bits to snack on while you quaff their lovely, lovely cocktails. There’s a Kentish cheese board with homemade chutneys, and a charcuterie plate that comes with homemade pickles.
All day eating spot and bar Hoffs opened up yesterday in Waverley House, Margate. Come for brunch, snacks, cocktails and coffee. Open seven days a week. Head over in the morning or in the evening.
Margate's Palms Pizza has announced its Lisbon outpost will open this month, for NYC-style slices, massive pies, natural wine and sun all year round. If you’re heading over for a visit, find it at Travessa Dos Mastros 25, 1200-265.
Potentially good news for your plans to visit Palms in Portugal - EU lawmakers have voted in favour of a proposal to ban charging for carry on luggage. If approved, passengers will be able to take on board up to 7kgs of hand luggage, which is in addition to the bag you cram under the seat. The law change will cover budget airlines too, so naturally, not everyone is happy about the proposal. This includes Ryan Air which made £4.1 billion last year in luggage add ons and extra fees. A few steps away from becoming law, the proposal still needs to be green lit in a parliamentary vote. While the law change wouldn’t affect the UK, the British government may adopt the same rule to avoid confusion on flights between here and Europe.
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