London’s Ace Café has cancelled its annual Margate Meltdown due to ‘increased costs’ but an unofficial event will still go ahead.
The Meltdown usually takes place over the late May bank holiday with thousands of bikers and scooter riders travelling into town.
But Ace Café, which applies for the road closure on the seafront and arranges for stalls and live entertainment, has posted a notice to say: “Regrettably, we are unable to proceed with hosting the Margate Meltdown event largely due to costs having increased significantly over the years.
“Unfortunately, these increased costs make it no longer financially viable for us to continue.
“We appreciate your understanding and support, and hope there may be opportunity to revisit the event in the future should circumstances change.”
In 2021, the event was cancelled but more than 2,000 bikers visited Margate anyway.
In 2022, Ace Cafe London cancelled the event after organisers were unable to secure the required road closures within the specified time limit.
Despite the announcement, and a warning from the council ‘not to attend,’ thousands of bikers turned out for the ‘unofficial Meltdown 2022’ and they plan to do the same thing this year.
Not the Margate Meltdown has been set for May 25, 10am to 5pm, with organiser Ian Maggs saying: “Seems that the official Meltdown won’t be happening this year which is devastating to many people especially the local businesses.
“So a few of us have decided to have a ride down and the keep the tradition of the bank holiday run going’ If you want to join in please organise your own runs etc as this is an unofficial event and just a Bank Holiday meet for anyone who fancies it.”
Attendees will be asked to donate £1 to a fundraising venture for Help for Homeless Heroes / Hedgehog Preservation and another cause to be announced. Collections points will include Barnacles pub.
A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for road closures under the Road Traffic Regulation Act – for special events- typically costs between £1,110 and £1,310.
Hope you have a great meet. Far too many Councils are hiking such things as road closures to supplement their Council Income to the detriment of local events. Such a shame because organisers such as ‘Ace’ have only tried to facilitate smooth arrangements, to help the Councils, and then get treated badly. Have fun (from an old Rocker!)
I’ll still take a leisurely ride to Margate this year.
The weather looks promising & most of the locals & businesses look forward to the extra money us Bikers spend while we’re there.
the funny thing is there is plenty of money for this ” pride ” thing ,and no doubt funded ? when its something for everyone – young and old , theres nothing avaliable for them . this event created huge crowds and no doubt it brought more money into the town than the pink pound .
@realworld the same fees apply to pride – the organisation does fundraising all year to raise the money for it
Shut up you Muppet. Take your derogatory comments out of Kent
Truth hurts, eh?
Spot on!
These London folk bring in a lot of money to local businesses when they come. They’ve been bringing that money for six decades now. The Council’s officers and members need to remember who pays them.
They both bring money in but think the pride thing has bigger crowds and people stay for the weekend – both should have support from the council
“If you’re worried about ‘money for everyone,’ you should love Pride. It brings in massive crowds who spend money at local shops, cafes, and hotels. It’s a literal gift to the local economy that the community pays for themselves. If you actually cared about ‘everyone,’ you’d be celebrating a successful local event instead of using debunked financial ‘concerns’ as a thin veil for homophobia is transparent and tired. Just say you’re bothered by people being happy and move on.
They’re obviously not “arty” enough for the Margate of today. Meanwhile, yet another near-million pounds funding is found for the Turner!
Why can’t local business rally round and cover the extra cost, the amount of revenue lost must be in the 10s of thousands doesn’t make sense for them for event to be cancelled 🤔
This news is a real shame for Margate, lets hope loads turn up anyway for the local businesses.
It’s a nightmare living in Acol, with the noise and fumes all day long when these motorbikes take a short cut and come through the village
It really does not matter whether the event is approved or permitted or not.
Despite TDC’s Public Space Protection Order, Events Policy and declared Climate Change Emergency – events such as this may continue with impunity. Any group can turn up in Margate (or anywhere else in Thanet) at the weekend and take over the beach, roads, footpaths, parks and gardens or any other public space with impunity.
Quite.
The sound systems on the beach during the summer weekends are deafening.
The elephant in the room.
What are the “costs” to write an order closing a road/roads and placing several No Entry/Diverted Traffic signs?
The entire process is a confidence trick.
The benefits of such events should be obvious. TDC should reconsider. Few events that TDC itself organises are more beneficial than this one which has gone on for decades, now.
No doubt attended by council traffic wardens money too be made.
Ban this event
They can’t (thankfully).
Why ?
Looking forward to it. Fingers crossed for good weather.
Margate’s going to loose 10s thousands in revenue this is green party greed in my opinion maybe ace cafe should charge 2 quid a bike towards costs im sure riders would pay to keep the event alive
What have the Green Party got to do with a decision made by Labour-run TDC?
Some of the text here is ridiculous anything to have a moan by the same people they don’t have the balls to use there own names
Thanet needs annual meeting that bring motorcyclists pride visitors to help the cash strapped businesses just look at all the empty shops