The Ramsgate Pride in Place Programme

We want everyone to be able to read and share in this ambition. We have created a community-friendly version of the plan, free of jargon and full of images, which outlines the future we are building together.

Read the ‘We are Ramsgate: Pride in Place Community Plan’

Based on what we built together, the vision for the next ten years is:

“Beauty and peace, prosperity and pride. Safe harbour, open arms. Not striving but thriving. All together, Ramsgate is rising.”

This is the story of Ramsgate’s future, written in the community’s own voice.

“Think we’re done? Run as far as we can run? Think this is the end of the line—Ramsgate slowly sinking into the sea? Because if you do, watch us prove you wrong.

Ramsgate is rising – Ramsgate is thriving!

Rising up together from the ocean. Royal Harbour. Up the High Street. Past St George’s and Pie. See Ellington in bloom. Cheer for Ramsgate F.C.! Up to Newington, Northwood and on and on. All the way, together, to the highest heights. Forever.

Want to know how we get there? We clean up. Open up. Light up. Join up. Clean streets, safe streets, bright streets. Healthy people living life in a cared-for, connected town. Because Ramsgate cares. It always has. We say “Safety for the shipwrecked, health for  the sick”.

That’s the foundation. Not nearly all Ramsgate deserves. We get that. We make it happen. Then we build on it. Higher… To beauty, peace, prosperity and pride. Our place. Our people. Our heritage. Our Future. Talent and ambition. Because if you want to get on,  go to Ramsgate. We’re punching above our weight.

Ramsgate is a fighter. And Ramsgate is a winner. The jewel in the crown of this island, Thanet. You can’t beat us. So join us. Let’s make that jewel shine – together. Let’s raise it up.

Because we’re better – together – we make a difference. And everyone is welcome. You’re with us! Safe harbour. Open arms. Big heart. No one left behind.

Not Striving. But Thriving. All Together. Ramsgate Is Rising.”

• • • Read the Ramsgate Vision Pack (Technical Submission)

The five Strategic Priorities

To bring this vision to life, the Board will focus on five big goals that our Ramsgate community highlighted.

1. Open It Up: Bringing back our town centre and jobs. You told us clearly: “The harbour is the Jewel in the Crown”, but we need to “connect the dots” to a thriving High Street.
2. Clean It Up: Cleaner, greener streets and restoring civic pride. The quality of the public realm, our streets and public spaces are a key factor in people’s quality of life. One local voice said: “If the town looked cared for, people would care more”.
3. Light It Up: Safer streets, safer lives: policing and access. So everyone feels free to move around our town without fear. Because “a safe Ramsgate is well-lit, well-loved, and beautiful”.
4. Raise It Up: Investing in our young people and their future. Our goal is simple: “To be the place that young people don’t want to leave”.
5. Join It Up: Health and support for everyone. Connecting health and support services so no one is left behind. We will build a town with “more accessible places to share experiences and ‘do life’ with likeminded people”.

Not Just the High Street: This plan is for the whole town, not just the centre. The goal is to support everyone in Ramsgate to feel safe and supported. Action will be taken on the specific issues that matter right on our doorstep.

These five values are more than just words. They are the “moral compass” for the entire programme. Every project, policy, and investment decision will be tested against them to ensure we stay true to the community’s vision.

• Belonging (Connection. Welcome. Together.) Ramsgate is an open-armed community. Everyone has a place here to be seen, heard, and respected—not despite our differences, but because of them.
• Pride (Confidence. Identity. Passion.) We know our worth. We celebrate our rich history and fighting spirit. We refuse to settle for second best and demand high standards for our streets and public spaces.
• Care (Kindness. Support. Respect.) We look out for each other. Strong communities are built on compassion. We echo the motto found on Ramsgate’s coat of arms: “Safety for the shipwrecked, health for the sick”. This originates from our history as a harbour of refuge and a popular health resort.
• Action (Collaborative. Concrete. Visible.) We roll up our sleeves and make things happen. We prioritise tangible results – clean streets, fixed lights, open shops.
• Thrive (Bustle. Bloom. Joy.) We are done just surviving to get by. Ramsgate is rising. We support enterprise and creativity, creating good jobs that pay at least a living wage.

The £20 million is confirmed. We have set our shared priorities. Now, we enter the most exciting stage. We will work together to turn these community ideas into real, funded projects. The community plan is not a finished roadmap. Instead, it is an invite to shape one.

What the Board is working on

The Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board is building a fair and open process. We know local organisations are eager to understand how they can be involved, and we want to get this right. Deciding on the projects for the first four years takes time and requires complex thinking. We will share an update on these timelines as soon as we can.

However, we are taking action now. We secured a massive win for our young people. The Board has funded Pie Factory Music to buy the Ramsgate Youth Centre. Visit Pie Factory’s website for more information on the impact of this decision.

• The Investment Framework: The Board is building a transparent process to test all future funding decisions against. We know we have to get the balance right. We need to back both long-term capital investments and show early impactful action against Ramsgate’s priorities. These bigger projects take longer to show an impact, but deliver what we, as a community, said was important to us. Our investments will also need to generate real income or attract more funding to sustain the town’s future.

How we will work together

We want you to choose how you join in. Everyone has clear ways to play a part:

• Co-designing solutions: We will work with community groups and local organisations. Together we will develop projects for each of the five priorities.
• Empowering young people: Young people will help design the youth services, safe spaces and activities that will serve them.
• Community checks and balances: Residents can review proposals in person or online through Your Voice Thanet. This keeps everything true to the community’s original vision.
• Delivering together: We will bring in delivery partners, local charities and public services early. This will make sure our plans are realistic, sustainable and ready to build.
• Supporting local organisations: We know that genuine collaboration takes time and resources. We will use programme funding to build knowledge, skills and capacity within local organisations and groups. This will make sure they are supported and can play a full part in shaping these projects.

Backing Local Creativity: The ‘Bring it to Life’ Fund

Earlier this year, the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board launched the ‘Bring It to Life’ creative fund. We designed this fund with four clear goals:

• Narrative activation: To bring our new vision, ‘We are Ramsgate: Pride in Place’, to life. We want to turn words on a page into tangible creativity and action.
• Community engagement: To use Year Zero Capacity Funding to engage as many people across Ramsgate as possible. We want to connect with the community before the large-scale regeneration work begins in April 2026.
• Creative output: To fund the production of visible creative works. This includes murals, films, performances, and podcasts. These works will highlight our local talent and celebrate the future we are building together.
• Showcase celebration: To provide visual and creative projects ready for display. We will showcase these at the major community celebration and exhibition on Sunday 19 April 2026.

Here is a sneak peek at the amazing projects we are funding:

• The Binfluencers (Becky, Nova, Lucy & Bethany): Four local artists team up for a playful street performance. They will roam the town centre and harbour. The act celebrates the use of bins and everyday care for public spaces. A digital ‘content creator’ will capture the fun for social media.
• Ramsgate Rising (Steph Dickinson): A community-led project to co-create an original song and sound piece. It uses the words, memories, and reflections of the people of Ramsgate. The project is inclusive for everyone. It heavily invests in the creative skills of our young people and wider community.
• Ramsgate Rising: The Real Deal (Max Thurlow): A 5-part film and social media campaign. It celebrates our local “Hidden Gems”. This builds to a large exhibition poster. The poster features a montage of these local heroes and QR codes for instant video viewing.
• Ramsgate Recorder Youth Magazine (Brightside Publishing): A special physical 16-page edition of the Ramsgate Recorder magazine. Local young people will entirely commission, write, photograph, and illustrate this issue.
• From Harbour to Hive – Ramsgate Rising Mural (The Hive): A hands-on visual arts project. It works with young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), alongside their families. Together, they will design and paint a bold, permanent mural on the large storage containers at The Hive.
• Ramsgate Rising: Our Choice, Our Community (It’s Your Choice Activities Service CIC): A hands-on, inclusive project. It offers creative sessions specifically designed by and for adults with disabilities. People are empowered to design and create a piece of their choosing. This leads to a celebratory showcase.
• Voices of Ramsgate (Sarah Simpson-Enock & Fiona Murray, supported by The Ramsgate Society): An oral history exhibition. It captures the diverse lived experiences of the people of Ramsgate. It features large printed portraits mounted on boards. Carefully chosen quotes and an immersive audio listening station bring these stories to life.
• Ramsgate Gothic (Dean Samed): A visual arts project celebrating Ramsgate’s history. It features a series of mixed-media and modern artworks. These pieces will be digitised. They will hang proudly as large PVC vinyl banners and murals.
  Vincent at Ramsgate (AJD Solutions): An engaging art history and education project for local school children. It features a curated photo walk and photography workshops. Children will enjoy bespoke music and create practical art. Van Gogh’s letters and his time living in the town inspire the work.
• Young Creatives Showcase & Networking (Remixd CIC): A youth-led media and networking initiative. It features a digital film showcasing local young creative talent. This provides a platform to elevate, connect, and celebrate the next generation of Ramsgate’s creatives.
• Story Quilt – An Audio Comforter for Ramsgate (Arts in Ramsgate): An immersive audio installation creating a calm, sensory-friendly refuge during the busy parade day. Visitors can relax in cosy, softly furnished spaces while listening to a tapestry of stories, songs, and voices recorded from across the Ramsgate community.

Celebrate with us: Sunday 19 April 2026 Parade and Launch

Join us at our Pride in Place Programme celebration event to see these creative projects!

On Sunday 19 April 2026, the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board will team up with Great British Carnival and St George’s Church. We will march in the annual St George’s Day Parade, finishing at the church for the Pride in Place Programme event. This is our moment to celebrate securing £20m in Pride in Place funding. You can also view the town’s new 10-year Community Plan.

• The main event (Sunday 19 April 2026 from 12pm): Expect a joyful afternoon with giants, horses, dragons, and princesses. Following the midday parade through town, join us back at St George’s Church. We will host a free community lunch. You can meet the Neighbourhood Board, view the ‘Bring It to Life’ showcases, and help shape Ramsgate’s future.

• Sign up to the Ramsgate regeneration mailing list for direct updates.
• Use Your Voice Thanet to share your views on specific projects.
• Talk to your local Board member, community group, or councillor.
• Contact Sarah Merrington, Neighbourhood Regeneration Manager working on the Ramsgate Pride in Place Programme.

This plan is built on the passionate feedback from our community.

Earlier this year 1,500 people across Ramsgate, and 97 businesses contributed their views by survey. There were also 583 attendances across 28 community listening events and online discussions. The community provided thousands of pieces of feedback that have directly shaped the 10-Year Vision.

The key findings:

• Safety is the priority: Dealing with antisocial behaviour and crime was the number one factor for making Ramsgate a good place to live.
• The town needs love: The community shared that the town often feels “unloved”. While big changes are needed, we also need the basics fixed to restore civic pride immediately.
• Economy and opportunity: Reviving the High Street and filling empty shops will bring the town back to life and attract more shoppers.
• Passion and potential: Alongside the frustrations, we heard huge belief in our town. One community member summed it up perfectly: “To me this place sings. I can hear music as I walk about”.

The Board didn’t just rely on opinions. The plan is built on the real situation in Ramsgate. It matches community feedback with hard facts about jobs, health, and daily life. This ensures every decision is strong and based on evidence.

If you want to see the evidence from the programme engagement, you can read the full breakdown via this document.

The Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board leads the programme. This group includes community leaders, residents, and businesses, working alongside Thanet District Council.

The Board’s job is to make sure decisions are community-led, open, fair, and stick to the plan. The Board has members from youth groups, local shops and charities. It also includes local councillors and the MP for Ramsgate.

• Ramsgate Future Investment Plan 2021
• Ramsgate Future Engagement Summary report 2021
• Ramsgate Future Atlas 2021
• Government Data pack
• Full 10-Year Vision and Regeneration Plan (Technical Submission – 28 November 2025)