Heritage Lab Ramsgate is aiming to secure the lease of the eight concrete shelters at the East Cliff.
The community interest company, which recently bought the Old Wine Warehouse (Age & Sons) in Charlotte Court, says it has been working on a project for the shelters since last year and wants to hear ideas from residents on how they would like them to be used.
The shelters at the sea wall below the Winterstoke Gardens are being offered by Thanet council as a bundle at £8,000 per year, with a two year rent-free period to allow for refurbishment.
Thanet council says the shelters could be used for small food outlets, mobile light refreshment stands, spaces for pop-up performances and art, bases for fitness and wellbeing activities or lockable storage.
Heritage Lab Ramsgate says: “We’ve been working on this project for over a year already, and first approached TDC last February about taking them on.
“If we are lucky enough to acquire the lease, we want to make sure that the shelters have a sustainable future and make a difference to the local community, ideally creating or sustaining new jobs.
“We are really excited about the idea of turning the East Cliff concrete shelters into something that benefits the local community.
“There are 8 shelters built into the cliff along the lower Eastern promenade in Ramsgate and (they) could be amazing Curiously Creative Places.”
The CIC says it has ideas for the shelters but would like to hear from residents too.
Thanet council has so far received 13 expressions of interest in taking on the lease and says there is existing electricity and water infrastructure on the upper promenade level, “meaning that connection to utilities is possible, subject to the necessary consent.”
To share your ideas with Heritage Lab Ramsgate email [email protected] before April 14.
Anyone interested in the lease can email [email protected]
