Heavy duty fencing has been installed to bar access to the lower promenade at Cliftonville Lido over fears that decay could lead to the promenade collapsing.
It replaces Heras fencing that was initially installed in February with plans for the site owner to carry out works to make the site secure.
At that time Thanet council – which is not the land owner- said there were safety issues with the steel structure that support the promenade.
A Thanet council spokesperson said at that time: “Access to the lower promenade on the seaward side of the Lido, on Cliff Terrace, was closed on Friday 6 February.
“This is necessary on safety grounds and follows a structural report carried out by the owners of the Lido. The report identified issues with the steel structure that supports the promenade, above the former changing rooms of the Lido.
“The land is the responsibility of the Lido and has been fenced off by the owners.
“The landowners will be required to carry out works to secure the structure.”
Thanet council says there has been no further involvement since then.
In response to questions about the fencing on social media Cllr Kristian Bright said: “It’s closed because it’s unsafe. The area underneath has been left by the owners (not TDC) to decay to such an extent that the promenade risks collapsing if used.”
There has been some backlash about the access being sealed.
One resident said: “The owners have installed permanent fencing on what was the path along the front and there’s now no way through.
“We’re pretty annoyed, it’s our nearest beach access and feels really unfair for it to be taken away.”
Cliftonville West ward councillor Alan Currie said: “I have had a few complaints but structural reports revealed that the underlying steel structure supporting the path above the old changing rooms has severely deteriorated and poses a risk of collapse. The owners are liable for the repairs but have not given a time frame as yet.”
Lido site ownership
Part of the Lido site containing the snooker club was bought by Lido Streetview Limited – run by long-time Lido manager Neville Borck and Martyn Buckley – for £100,000 in February 2017.
The other two sections – which includes the fenced off area- were moved from administration to creditors’ voluntary liquidation – with a deal mooted to buy the Lido sites for £700,000 – in 2024.
In 2014, company Stour Side Developments and Stour Side Investments acquired two plots at the Lido, including the car park, for £699,999. The purpose of the buy was to develop residential apartments or re-sell after having secured planning permission but no progress was ever made. An additional plan for a sealife centre also fell flat.
In 2015 and early 2016, the company received additional cash from Evgueni Dogot, who became sole director in 2017, the same year Duff & Phelps were brought in as administrators with Stour Side Developments owing debts of £1,337,623.
Stour Side Developments remained in administration for a whopping seven years until creditors voluntary liquidation was enacted in 2024.
According to Companies House Mr Dogot was expected to buy the Lido from the administration estate.
However, documents lodged with Land Registry show the Lido plots were bought by Waterfront Holdings Limited in December 2024 for £182,897.
The sole director of Waterfront Holdings is Margate FC chairman Ricky Owen. A charge is registered against the company’s property with Evgueni Dogot as the ‘entitled person.’
Mr Dogot is one of Margate FC’s principal owners and shareholders (holding 47.53%) while Mr Owen holds 42.79%. The club is primarily controlled through Waterfront Property Development Ltd as the entity with ‘significant control.’
Efforts to contact Mr Owen have not received a response.
Site for sale
Last year the Lido complex was listed for sale, with a pre-application proposal for a 100-room spa hotel, 90 new apartments, and a sculpture park.
The freehold is being offered for two plots at the Lido, with an option also available for the Lido Bar and Pool Hall.
The site houses the Grade II listed Clifton Baths which were constructed between 1824 and 1828, making them one of the earliest surviving seawater bathing establishments in the country.
The 2.1 acre site is still being marketed by Knight Frank with asking price on application.
If a road was unsafe, chances are it would quickly be repaired; when it’s for people who actually go for a walk, it is literally closed for decades. When’s Andrew’s Passage in Margate High Street going to be reopened? It was shut off at least as far back as 2014.
I have a bad feeling this will be a permanent closure. It has spoilt the well being of so many people who walk, run and cycle this route daily. Is it not a right of way? What can we all do about this?
Legally, public right of ways should be kept open, with (in theory) enforcement from county councils.
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/what-we-care-about/7-actions-you-can-take-resolve-issues-public-rights-way
Apparently it is not a public right of way! Or, at least, it is not listed as such. Hum…..
That needs to be challenged!
yes, it does.
It’s been in a poor state under that section for decades. I believe if a preservation order is placed on the Cliftonville baths then something must be done now to preserve it before the whole lot caves in
Land speculation is a curse on this country. As is properly listing. Whilst the clifftop building has some architectural merit, the lido itself has been an eyesore for decades.
The simplest and cheapest solution would be to shutter off the changing rooms and pump them full of concrete.
The idea of building an hotel/apartments on the car park is ridiculous. The cliffs are too insubstantial there for deep foundations and they will obstruct the sea views for pre-existing properties and devalue them.
I thought they weren’t allowed to build structures that block views on that stretch of seafront? This is why the Winter Gardens was dug out of the cliffs instead of just built on top.
Pull it all down, it’s finished kaput. Not a chance to throw good money after bad, 👍
Do you mind, Margate has been regenerated by art!