Thanet council is reviewing interest, ideas and possible locations for a market to return to Ramsgate.
The town centre, Friday market shut when covid restrictions were brought in during March 2020. It briefly reopened in June of that year but issues around placement meant the market closed again. A new site proposed for Pier Yard car park on the seafront was scuppered at the 11th hour.
Traders were then given the go-ahead to use Staffordshire Street car park, taking space in several disabled parking bays. But there was a drop in traders taking part on Fridays and none willing to set up for business at the site on Saturdays.
The low number of stalls meant falling income, with then-operator Hughmark making a decision to cease trade in the town.
In October 2020 Thanet council said there were plans to create a new Canterbury style format with gazebos and themed days and the market contract would go out to tender.
But there has been no return of the market since that date.
Now Thanet council says it will be putting out a public notice to find out how much interest there is amongst local businesses for the market to return and asking for ideas on management and location.
A Thanet council spokesperson said: “The council is reviewing the market offer in Ramsgate town centre and will shortly be launching a Public Information Notice (PIN). The purpose of the PIN exercise is to ascertain the level of interest in the local business community and to help identify innovative ideas for the efficient running and day to day management of the market.
“The PIN will be advertised on the Kent Business Portal and will be open for up to 30 days. It will be followed by a four-week procurement exercise, with a further two weeks to evaluate the submissions.
“As part of the review, we will also be looking at the location of the market and whether a new location would be more beneficial in the long term.
“We hope that potential traders will get involved in the PIN exercise and share their views as we look to create a vibrant and sustainable market that supports the local community.”
It would good to see the Ramsgate Market back as it brings a boost to the amount of shoppers. Footfall has been dire in recent years but if nobody steps in to replace the previous organisers it will not go ahead. I do hope it resumes and it would be a bad if no one comes forward to operate it as it could only mean it is now unviable
a market ? there was about 5 stalls if i remember correctly , and one of them was for mobility scooters ?, ramsgate has the national collection of them if you try to walk through the town on a friday.
Oi I use one too!
I was just thinking about the past, when the market used to be held at Dumpton Greyhound track, what a great, and busy market with lots of variety that was.
Don’t remember there being any impact upon retailers in the town.
Am guessing that was early to mid eighties.
How times have changed.
Yes it was such a busy market! Only Fools And Horses Margate beano was part filmed there
Little mention of the market in one of my old articles. Used to love that market! https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2017/04/17/thanet-clubs-pubs-and-places-gone-but-not-forgotten/
Wow! So many old, but great memories, Ramsgate Pleasurama, The Winchester Club, Frank’s, the Sally Line, that was great crossing the Channel for £1, and cheap booze.
Yes, in those days you could phone a GP surgery in the morning, someone even answered the phone, and you could get an appointment for the same day; honest.
I remember the Dumpton Market in the 1960’s. Traders and coach loads of shoppers used to come from miles around. Must’ve been nigh on 800+ stalls in it’s heyday.
Outdated history
Just seen that a steam engine will visit Ramsgate later this year. There brochure states what a wonderful place Ramsgate is. Boats go to Oostende & Boulougne from the harbour😊😊😊
It’s a huge pity the Council does not do more to support the return of the market. They should visit/liaise with officials in Herne Bay, where, despite the market venue having been changed several times, remains a popular & well-attended event. Now located along the pedestrianised Mortimer Street & parallel to Herne Bay’s High street: both areas benefit from the footfall of those attending the market.
Used to love visiting Oostende
Always to little to late with this council, Thanet will soon have nothing left for locals and visitors. Over priced house’s no real jobs just wall-to-wall concrete, millions wasted on the art’s with no extra jobs . Sad to say Thanet is dead with no hope of ever improvement
Spot on
Ramsgate needs a real market not just that. Chris is right..Margate..full of retro shops otherwise called junk..Turner centre..ugly and ok if you want to look at amateur dabbles..only place worth visiting is Old Kent Market. Thanet..sea of fields covered in housing for London’s problem families.
Markets and Shops seem to be out of date as most people buy stuff online now. Sooner or later Markets will decline. Unfortunately.
What’s to organise, TDC pick a day and people turn up with a paste table of wares. In the Hi St obs…Jeez over complicate.
If you don’t mind a market that sells predominantly food, you could try Cliftonville Farmers’ Market.
It celebrated it’s 20th anniversary in September and usually has 25 – 30 artisans & small businesses there.
It is run by community volunteers and has won numerous awards.
It is on a new site behind the Walpole Bay Hotel in Cliftonville.
It is well worth a visit
Forgot to add, it is held on the last Sunday of the month from 10 – 1 p.m
There is a market this Sunday Jan 30th.