Plans to extend and convert the former Sports Direct and USC store building in Ramsgate’s Queen Street into 31 flats and four commercial units including a basement gym, have been lodged with Thanet council.
The plans are for 17 x 1 bedroom and 14 x 2 bedroom apartments on the ground and upper floors with access via a residential entrance in Queen Street.
The proposal includes four self-contained commercial units on the ground floor, two units will be shops, there will be a Business Hub and another unit will be a gym. On the ground floor there will be a reception and lifestyle café associated with the Gym.
Documents submitted to Thanet council say the developer has approached the Blitz Training Academy to operate the commercial gym. Blitz secured a contract with Thanet District Council for the provision of Health and fitness facilities for minority groups in the community when the group had plans to set up in Westwood.
The business hub will have adhoc business desk space, meeting and conference areas will also be available for occasional hire.
Planning documents from developer JDP (South) Limited state: “The intention is to provide a dedicated business space for members of the public or visiting business people. The Business Hub will be provided with its own reception and welfare facilities and therefore be considered self contained. The hours of operation for the business hub will likely be limited to 8am – 8pm.”
The apartments will include planted areas on roof terraces and the Atrium. There will be play space at ground floor level which will be secure and under the direct supervision of a concierge service.
There are no parking areas planned for the development.
Sports Direct and USC have moved to The Link retail park next to Westwood Cross.
The proposal is just the latest in a number for Ramsgate’s town aiming to turn retail sites into hybrid homes and shop space.
Do we really need yet another gym in Thanet
Looking at the sites I see in thanet we differently need more gyms or less fast food outlets !
I agree many people need to lose weight, but does annoy me a little to see people driving to and from gyms to keep fit! Why not walk/cycle (or at least bus) there?!
The Town center is now well and truely dead.
*Centre* (unless you’re in the USA).
It wasn’t yesterday. It was full of people visiting the shops, banks,,bars, cafes, pubs and so on.
what about turning it into an arts centre and gallery ? we need more of them – after that “painting ” of emins fetched millions , i am seriously thinking about taking it up
I’d love a have gym in that space! I’d definitely use it.
Car parking?
This is on a bus route to the station and it’s right in the centre of the town, which should be a destination in its own right. So why is it mandatory for any of the occupants to rely on a car?
Would the Flats be affordable to the locals? and why no parking
No parking because a) it’s in the middle of town and b) because the Loop bus (7 days a week, 10 minute service during the working day, 15-20 minutes evenings) stops virtually right outside, and connects with Ramsgate, Dumoton Park and Broadstairs rail stations.
And isn’t there a multi-storey car park within 100 yards of these flats and the ground floor amenities?
Cavendish St car park is just round the back.
Maybe they could build some toilets?
Ok planning again does not think about the people that are going to live there
there is no work in the town so they have to have a car or are they going to for the asylum seekers that we get more of
There are a lot of people who lead full lives without depending on private transport. And if more and more people move into car-free developments then perhaps they will start to use the shops and amenities that are in walking distance and bring the town centre back to life.
When I worked in Canterbury, I took the 9x bus. When I worked in Margate, I went by train. When I lived and worked in London, I cycled.
Good for you, and ditto here, but the fact is that most people use cars to shop these days, and expect a nearby, safe and clean car park. Failing that, and they’ll just continue to drive to Westwood Cross or the vile Sturry retail park.
Steve your a Pillock, get help! There is a large block of one bed retirement flats across the road, so this could attract many newly or near retired people. Speaking personally, I never renewed my driving licence when I became 70, used my bike instead! I wouldn’t buy one of the flats though, unless it was managed on site, like they do in the USA. Its my dream that people like Steve end up being an asylum seeker, preferably in Rwanda!
Planning permission has already been granted for a similar application made in 2021. I suspect this is just a variation on the original plan.