Thanet District Council has today unveiled a list of preferred projects for the £1.5 million Pride in Place Impact Fund. The government funding is designed to deliver immediate and visible improvements across the district by March 2027.
Projects must focus on at least one of three core objectives. These are: revitalising community spaces; enhancing public areas, including green and blue spaces; and regenerating high streets and town centres. To ensure the greatest possible impact within strict government delivery deadlines, the council has prioritised projects within public ownership in Margate and Broadstairs. Further support is earmarked for projects in the district’s rural villages.
The council is now entering a four-week engagement period to gather public feedback on the shortlisted projects. Residents are invited to share their views on how these spaces should be used and what improvements they would like to see.
The projects
On the basis of the government criteria, the short timescales to deliver the projects and the potential impact for the community, the council is considering the following:
Margate – Refurbishment of the Margate Museum and Old Town Hall. These Grade II Listed landmarks require urgent structural repairs and modernisation to ensure their long-term future.
Broadstairs – Investment for Pierremont Park to refurbish historic features and improve accessibility.
The Sarah Thorne Theatre – In line for £50,000. This will enable the theatre company to start renovations on the building they recently bought from Kent County Council, safeguarding its place in the community.
Thanet Villages – £100,000 ring-fenced for the eight rural parish and town councils. They will be invited to competitively bid for grants of up to £20,000 for capital projects that meet the fund’s core objectives.
Ramsgate has already been awarded £20 million through the Pride in Place Programme funding, and therefore is not included within the proposals for the Pride in Place Impact Fund.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at Thanet District Council, said: “This £1.5 million investment is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into some of the places that hold significant meaning for the local community. I am thrilled to see the Margate Museum and Pierremont Park at the heart of these proposals. These are more than just landmarks, they are central to our community’s pride and heritage.
“By investing in these assets, we aren’t just fixing roofs or paving paths; we’re visibly demonstrating improvements which will instill a sense of pride in our place. By asking local people to input ideas on how these spaces should be used, we hope they will feel invested in the work we put into them.”
Final recommendations will be reviewed by a dedicated panel, including local MPs, before being presented to the council’s Cabinet for approval on Thursday 30 April 2026.
For more information on the projects and to have your say, please visit the council’s engagement website Your Voice Thanet. The four-week engagement is expected to open during week commencing Monday 2 March 2026.
