Ramsgate has acres of potential, but it has not had its fair-share. I'm changing that - here's how...
September 2015
Royal Temple Yacht Club, Ramsgate, Kent
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For years, there has been too much talk and too little action in our town. I got the key players together (50 representatives from local groups) to come up with a clear plan to improve our area. They formed the Ramsgate Regeneration Alliance.
March 2016
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
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I've always believed that if you want something done you ask the boss, so I did. I asked David Cameron, the Prime Minister, to back regeneration in Ramsgate - and he did. He said he would send the Coastal Communities Minister to see the town at the earliest opportunity.
April 2016
Ramsgate Harbour Front, Kent
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As promised, the Coastal Minister was despatched to inspect Ramsgate and listen to what townsfolk had to say. He told the town to prepare and submit a Coastal Communities Fund bid for investment, which he would review.
July 2016
Royal Harbour Yacht Club, Ramsgate, Kent
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As instructed we submitted our application with the CCT finalising the plans from my office in Westminster. We launched the bid at the July meeting of the Ramsgate Regeneration Alliance. Here is what the bid contained:
“£1.7 MILLION OF INVESTMENT
- Major renovation of the Military Wall
- Total redesign of Harbour Street’s streetscape
- Major internal marketing process
- New signage for the town
- Renovated Leopold Street Carpark”
Unfortunately our bid this time was rejected. Although this is a disappointment, the team have done a great job in showcasing what Ramsgate has to offer and we will continue to fight for Ramsgate’s regeneration. The good news is that Ramsgate has been designated a ‘Heritage Action Zone’ which will be a route of access to more grant bids. We will of course be applying for future funding for our regeneration efforts.