Proposals for a £1.1m scheme to reinstate the Grade II Listed Walpole Bay Lift and create a nearby cafe or kiosk will be displayed at a public drop-in next month.
The Access Walpole scheme is one of the projects under the £22.2m Margate Town Deal which was secured by Thanet council in March 2021.
The aim of Access Walpole is to make the clifftop space fully functional again.
The lift was originally installed by the Ministry of Health in the 1930s to encourage people to enjoy the benefits of living by the coast. This included swimming in the nearby tidal pool or walking along the shoreline – activities that improved people’s health and wellbeing. This project aims to make that happen again.
The council is inviting members of the public to learn about the project at the drop-in on Thursday 5 October between 2pm and 7pm, at the Walpole Bay Hotel, Fifth Avenue, Cliftonville.
People will be able to meet and engage with the council’s project team. There will be boards on display showing sketches of the proposed concepts for the new beach, and wellbeing facilities. Architects and designers will be on hand to answer questions and there will be an opportunity to give feedback about some of the information on display.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Property, said: “The Margate Town Deal consists of many projects. Improving the access to Walpole Bay is a really important part of what we plan to make happen.
“Coming along to this drop in event will give people a chance to see potential solutions very early on in the project process. We want people to share their thoughts on where the new building could go and also what the building could best be used for.
“At this stage there won’t be final designs to choose from or details about the facilities but that will come later and there will be a chance to comment on those before they go to planning. In the meantime, I’d urge people to visit the displays now and be part of the journey so that we make the right decisions for Walpole Bay’s future, together.”
Following the event, the information boards will remain on display at the Walpole Bay Hotel for two weeks. The exhibition will be open daily from Monday 9 October for people to drop in between 10am and 7pm. It will close at 7pm on Monday 23 October.
It will also be possible to submit feedback both online and via paper surveys. There will be further opportunities for comment ahead of any designs reaching the planning stage.
The Margate Town Deal projects have a delivery deadline of March 2026.
