Historic England has awarded Heritage Lab Ramsgate, one of 19 Heritage Development Trusts in the UK, an initial grant of £107,114 in year one, with in-principle funding for a further two years, totalling up to £250,424.
The award recognises work by the not-for-profit community interest company and its partners to restore historic buildings, support local enterprise and create opportunities for the community through heritage.
Heritage Lab’s first project, the Old Wine Warehouse at Charlotte Court, Ramsgate, transformed a derelict historic building into a thriving enterprise, arts and entertainment centre supporting creative businesses, jobs and cultural activity.
The funded programme, Connecting Ramsgate’s Heritage, builds on Historic England’s previous Heritage Action Zone investment within Ramsgate, and deliver a pipeline of key heritage projects across the town.
As well as supporting the existing team, it will create two new part-time roles, helping to build capacity and support local skills development.
Historic England funding for years two and three will build on the progress made in year one, subject to the delivery of agreed outputs.
Tom Foxall, Regional Director at Historic England, said: “Heritage Lab Ramsgate has demonstrated a strong track record of delivering innovative, community-focused heritage regeneration. We are pleased to support this next phase of their work, which will help unlock the potential of Ramsgate’s historic buildings and bring lasting benefits to the town.”
Dr Diana Montgomery, Chair of Heritage Lab Ramsgate, added: “This award recognises the dedication of our team, volunteers and partners over many years. It gives us the platform to scale up our impact and deliver long-term change for Ramsgate’s historic environment and the people who live and work here.
“This funding will allow us to go further, faster – developing more projects, bringing more buildings back into use, and creating more opportunities for local people. With a strong pipeline already emerging, the next few years could be an incredibly exciting time for Ramsgate.”
Thanet council leader Councillor Rick Everitt said: “We are delighted to have supported Heritage Lab Ramsgate’s successful application and are keen to see this funding helping to create new jobs, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate the delivery of projects that bring real benefits to our communities.
“ The council recognises the need to unlock the potential of Ramsgate’s heritage assets and welcomes the opportunity to work with partners such as Heritage Lab to do so.”
Heritage Lab Ramsgate says it will be supporting the Ramsgate Heritage Community Buildings Forum – a network of organisations collaborating to champion heritage, share knowledge, and shape a joined-up programme of activity alongside the Neighbourhood Board.
Schemes proposed by Heritage Lab to date include taking a 20-year lease from Thanet council to redevelop eight Art Deco shelters on Ramsgate’s East Cliff lower promenade.
Proposals for the shelters include a food and drinks outlet, a sauna, water sports and fishing facilities, beach huts, a community and educational space or art space.
One of the shelters will be restored to its original purpose with seated benches and information on the history of the area. Heritage Lab Ramsgate intends to connect power, water and waste services.
The CIC has also formally nominated two buildings in the town — the East Cliff Lift and the former St John Ambulance building on Sussex Street — to be listed as Assets of Community Value (ACVs) by Thanet District Council (TDC).
In February the organisation revealed it is in early discussions to create an outdoor swimming pool at the East Cliff.
The site is currently the Marina car park 3 which is on the footprint of the former open air swimming pool.
A previous report to councillors says car park 3, could have redevelopment potential which could generate greater economic and social benefits for TDC.
A previous scheme to save Pugin’s Grade II listed Granville Hotel in Ramsgate hit the buffers following covid.
Get involved
Heritage Lab Ramsgate is inviting local people, organisations and businesses to help shape the future of the town’s historic environment. To find out more and hear about upcoming job opportunities, visit heritagelab.org.uk/become-a-member.
