Thanet District Council formally celebrated the start of construction work at the Newington Community Hub in Ramsgate, with a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday 21 May 2025.
The event was attended by Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, who ‘broke the ground’ at the site on Princess Margaret Avenue, Newington. Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, Cllr Pat Moore, Ward Councillor for Newington, members of the Newington Community Association, council project team and representatives from the appointed architect and construction team also attended, as well as Ramsgate Town Mayor, Cllr Laurie Hudson.
The Newington Community Hub will provide improved facilities for local people. The existing Community Centre will be refurbished and enhanced with an extension to house a larger kitchen facility. Together with the addition of a community garden, the new kitchen will allow the Newington Community Association to expand its popular food and cookery programme.
The project is part of the regeneration investment into Ramsgate from the central government’s funding.
Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said, “The Community Centre has long provided an important focus for the people of Newington. When this funding first became available I was determined that Newington would benefit directly, and I’m so pleased that we’re delivering new facilities for local people in an area outside the town centre.
“As Ward Councillors for Newington, Cllr Pat Moore and I are both very proud of this project. We work closely with the team at the centre all year round and are confident that the Association will work for the local community, providing training and opportunities for the people that need them.
“This is a big moment for Newington, the Community Association and for the regeneration projects in Ramsgate.”
Richard Nicholson, Chair of Newington Community Association, said, “This has been made possible through a strong partnership between the community and Thanet District Council. People living in Newington, and beyond, will soon enjoy a modern space, with a training kitchen and garden, where they can connect, celebrate and learn together.”
Gabriel Warshafsky, Director of Projects at Jan Kattein Architects, said “From the outset we were inspired by the Community Association’s holistic approach to supporting local wellbeing. Energy efficiency and future proofing the existing building is a key part to the design, with new roof insulation and solar panels. This will reduce the ongoing running costs and environmental impact of the centre, supporting the Community Association to keep doing their amazing work sustainably, into the foreseeable future.”
In May 2024, local people were invited to share their feedback on the proposed designs for the Newington Community Hub. The feedback received helped to shape the planning application.
An architect’s impression of the Community Hub designs can be viewed on the council’s website.
Thanet District Council was awarded £19.8million for Ramsgate through the government’s Levelling Up Fund, and £2.7m in 2020, through the Future High Street Fund.
There is more information about Ramsgate’s regeneration projects in the Pathfinder Programme on the council’s website.
