Ramsgate residents and community groups are invited to join Thanet District Council this Friday (8 March) to view projects that have taken place as part of the Ramsgate High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme (HSHAZ).
The three year project, funded by Historic England, comes to an end this month.
The public drop-in session will take place at the former haberdashery shop purchased by the council at 5a Broad Street, Ramsgate. It will be open between 2pm and 6pm.
People are invited to find out more about the projects that were part of the three year HSHAZ scheme which included grants to repair and restore historic shop fronts, bringing a disused shop back into use in Harbour Street, a Town Centre study, a Shop Front Design Guide, funding for community engagement activities and a cultural programme.
Among funded work was the restoration of the original lead glass shopfront at the AsWasIsNow gallery in Harbour Street. Gallery owner Jo Smith secured the premises in June 2022 to create a space to honour the memory and display the work of dad Dave Smith, who died in September 2020 aged 73.
Renovation of the property began in January 2023. When the previous modern signage was removed an earlier shopfront with an historic Art Nouveau fascia was discovered.
The decorative leaded glass gives a tantalising glimpse to the turn of the 20th century when the building was operating as Rose Jewellers. It was decided immediately that the newly uncovered historic features would remain in place and would need to be restored.
Thanet District Council became aware of the planned heritage restoration works and contacted Jo to see how an Historic England grant could help her restore the shopfront to its former glory.
Attendees will have the option to view information boards and meet with some of the organisations and residents that took part in the community-focused scheme.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at Thanet District Council, said: “The success of the Ramsgate High Street Heritage Action Zone can be seen in the range of projects that have been completed over the last three years.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in the regeneration of Ramsgate to come along to the drop-in event to see the full impact of the scheme. The projects all had a significant community focus; it’s good to see what can be achieved in a town centre when residents and community groups work together with a common goal.”
Following the event, the boards will remain on display at 5a Broad Street, and can be viewed during the following times:
Monday 11 March, 12pm to 2pm
Tuesday 12 March, 5pm to 7pm
Thursday 14 March, 9am to 11am
Ramsgate High Street Heritage Action Zone was designated in March 2021 and included Harbour Street and a lower section of the High Street.
The scheme, funded by Historic England, was supported by local partners including the Coastal Community Team and Ramsgate Town Council and focused on helping to regenerate Ramsgate High Street.
Thanet council plans for the former haberdashery shop are to provide workspace for creative industries and a new skills and careers hub.
The haberdashery shop trades from new premises in King Street.
