The first phase of a scheme to renovate the former Page & Sons wine warehouse in Ramsgate to create a community space, cafe/restaurant, co-working offices, bar and event space has officially opened today (April 1).
Originally built for the storage of wine by merchants Page & Sons, the Old Wine Warehouse in Charlotte Court has been repurposed several times during its lifetime. From a martial arts centre to a Michelin-Guide-recommended restaurant and bar and now a creative, enterprise and entertainment hub.
On the first floor the new workspace for creatives, remote workers and entrepreneurs is now open.
Ramsgate Works is one part of a project by local not-for-profit Heritage Lab Ramsgate to refurbish the Old Wine Warehouse.
The coworking studio has both dedicated and flexible hotdesking spaces with a range of facilities and member benefits, including two acoustic pods for calls and small meetings, super-fast Wi-Fi, a break-out soft-seating area, member events and evening and weekend presentation space.
The space has been co-designed with the community through a series of drop-in events, questionnaires and conversations with people interested in joining. Information was gathered on who the co-work space would appeal to, how they would use it, and ideas and feedback on layout and facilities. The strongest message given through the consultation was to try to create a sense of community, so this has driven much of the design.
The interiors have been developed through a collaboration between Heritage Lab Ramsgate and Myles Lucas Studio, who also created the branding for the co-work. The space benefits from a vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden joists and windows all along one side. To add interest, bold colours are mixed with light calm neutrals and natural materials to make it feel homely and warm.
The entrance stairwell is designed to impress – painted in bright orange and featuring giant RW letters – the outlines are replicas of the original Victorian tiles from the front of building.
Rob Kenyon, CEO, Heritage Lab CIC, said: “We wanted to create a modern professional space that would facilitate community and collaboration and that members would be proud to work from. We’ve already had a lot of interest in memberships – in the first four days of opening tours, 50% of the dedicated desks have been taken.”
The principal designer and architects were Ramsgate-based del Renzio & del Renzio and the principal contractor is Coastal Construction Ltd.
The £600,000 Old Wine Warehouse project is funded through a combination of grants and loans from Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Heritage Lab is in the process of securing a tenant and operator for the ground floor restaurant.
More details for Ramsgate Works can be found at ramsgate.works
Everyone claims to have no money, yet more and more restaurants and cafes open.
the only successful use of that building was a victorian police staion , and even that closed in the end , as mr checksfield has pointed out , are cafes and restaurants becoming the new art gallerys ? we seem to have an abundance of them at the moment , not forgetting mens hairdressers of course.
It was very successful as “age and sons” restaurant, once it was established it was sold to people who patently did’nt understand the business, the very competent front of house moved onto better things and the place became a shadow of its former self in no time.
Be good iff they can find a decent operator for the former bar area, but its pretty small so will need to be a bit pricey to pay its way. Good space though.