Only a quick post, but too good to save for later. Enjoy some photos of Turner Contemporary during tonight’s great sunset. (The first of many great sunsets in what will surely be one of the most important years in Margate’s history.)

One of the aims of Turneround Margate has always been to document the progress of arts regeneration in the town, and the redevelopment of the Harbour Arm must be one of the most obvious improvements for a while.

Already open on the arm is Vanilla Sky (a cafe selling ice cream and waffles) and the fantastic IOTA Gallery. Joining them over the summer months will be an impressive seafood resteraunt at the lighthouse end of the arm, along with another cafe, a florists and a ‘girls gift shop’.

Since we visited late last month, the Harbour Arm held it’s reopening event, but in effect, I understand that the arm will be fully complete over summer. Here’s a selection of photos we took when we dropped in to the IOTA Gallery.

Andrew Baldwin’s Walking Fish sculpture. (Andrew also created some incredible work for The Margate Exodus)

Artist’s Impression of the completed Margate Harbour Arm

The Harbour Arm is hosting a series of summer events every weekend (except the 21/22 June), with everything ranging from a High Tide Concert on the 12th July and a Kite Festival on the 21/22nd September. For more information, visit The Harbour Arm website.

After what seems like years of talk about bringing the Margate Harbour Arm back into use, it seems as if work has finally begun.

The harbour arm houses thirteen units, but currently only one is in use – the work now underway will convert the units for a variety of new uses, including a cafe, a resteraunt, four retail spaces, two artists studios, a gallery and two stores for commercial fishermen.

It has already been confirmed that the new gallery space will house Gallery IOTA, who left their cliff top home in Ramsgate last year. IOTA had a fantastic track record in Ramsgate, so I can only see their relocation as a boon for Margate.

The work will also introduce a new artistic lighting scheme to to illuminate the lighthouse, droit house and the upper walkway of the arm. The scheme will comprise of 40 multicolour LED lights, which visitors will be ale to control the colour, pattern and frequency of via text message.

I covered Nobert Attard’s light installation last year and suspect that the new lighting scheme could be along similar lines.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Culture and Economy, said:

This project will provide a major boost for Margate’s regeneration and is the latest sign that the fortunes of the town are improving. The Harbour Arm is something that everyone sees as they arrive in Margate and it’s vital that we use it to its full potential. Creating units that can be used for catering, retail and arts here, while retaining space for the fishermen, will help to do just that.

You might get a better idea of the work by viewing the planning application.

Due to the huge response to last month’s story regarding Ann Carrington’s “Shell Ladies”, I am working on a post focusing on the shortlisted projects that lost out. It should arrive some time next month.

In August I mentioned Thanet Council’s competition to commission an innovative artwork to signpost the way to the Old Town area of Margate. The idea is to brand the Old Town and create a cultural trail through the town, which I suppose will work in conjunction with the work being done to widen and improve pavements leading to the area.

Well, after much consideration, the judging panel finally selected Ann Carrington’s “Victorian Shell Ladies”. She says:

Years ago I purchased a beautiful shell ornament in the shape of an Edwardian lady from a souvenir shop on the sea front. There is something about these sea side ladies that epitomise Margate – they have that ‘Kiss me Quick’ kitsch of this quintessentially English sea side resort, yet they are beautifully crafted with an air of the fine ladies and gentlemen who once inhabited the grand historical buildings that are central to the town.

Ann’s proposal includes a 10 feet tall shell lady sculpted from copper to sit in the the market place area of the old town, as well as twelve more shell ladies made from real giant scallop shells to direct people towards the old town.
To accompany the kitsch overload, she plans to use derelict window fronts to feature signs painted by local sign writers reflecting an array of historic graphics unique to Margate – from classic Amusement Arcade frontages to the signage of the Sea Bathing Hospital.

I love the hand painted signs, and totally agree that Margate should make more of it’s heritage of seaside art, but I can’t pretend I actually like her plan for the permanent shell lady in the old town.
This said, Ann Carrington is an interesting marker for where art has reached in the town. Ann is a well regarded and successful artist working from a studio just off Margate high street… and now her work is being used to help improve the town – it’s a scenario you wouldn’t have envisaged five years ago, but it illustrates the well worn history of artists working where the rents are cheap and then watching their work help improve the community as a result.

You can download Ann Carrington’s proposal for the shell ladies, alongside some of her existing portfolio, by visiting her website, and clicking on ‘Current Projects’.

Thanet Council has sent me details of a major new competition to help revitalise Margate Old Town, and they want your help.

The Old Town is an architectural gem and at the heart of Margate’s cultural regeneration, but it is hidden from the view of people visiting he nearby beach, amusement arcades and High Street.

The competition, run by Margate Renewal Partnership aims to reveal this hidden gem to a wider audience. They are looking to commission an innovative piece of work that that is imaginative and artistic and will sign post the Old Town, subtly transforming it without losing its character.

Derek Harding, the Programme Director of the Margate Renewal Partnership says:

We know that there’s a great deal going on in Margate’s creative industries at the moment. They’re at the heart of the town’s regeneration and are helping to change the face of the Old Town beyond recognition from a few years ago, when it was falling into dereliction. The Margate Renewal Partnership is aiming to take that
regeneration forward and we want artists and designers involved in that process. That’s why we want to hear from them, so we can ensure that they’re kept up to date with the work the Partnership is undertaking, but also so that they have the opportunity to get involved in a major project to help promote the Old Town.

To receive the full project brief, contact Margate Renewal Partnership on 01843 609336 or by e-mailing mandy.cronje@thanet.gov.uk.

Some good news for redevelopment followers – this press release just in from Thanet District Council:

Plans have been submitted by Thanet District Council for a derelict and underused area in Margate Old Town.

The application, for Queens Arms Yard, proposes a mixed use development of three and four storey buildings, which will house a café, bar or restaurant, along with 10 retail units or art studios and a total of 24 apartments.

The plans are part of the ongoing regeneration of Margate Old Town by the Council and the Margate Renewal Partnership to create a Cultural Quarter to complement Turner Contemporary. Artists have been involved in helping to draw up the plans of the retail units and art studios to ensure that they meet their needs.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Economy and Culture, said: “The Council and Margate Renewal Partnership are working hard to regenerate Margate and a crucial part of that work is the creation of a Cultural Quarter in the Old Town. There’s no doubt that the work is starting to pay dividends there, with new businesses opening all the time and increasing occupancy levels. Obviously these plans will need to be considered carefully by our Planning Officers to ensure that the best scheme is achieved for everyone. The development of this site will help to bring an area, that’s been a target for fly tippers for some time, back into use, attracting both new businesses and residents into our beautiful Old Town.”

Copies of the application can be viewed at Margate library, Thanet District Council’s offices in Margate or online at www.ukplanning.com and members of the public can give their views on the planning application until Friday 31 August.

Anyone walking through the old town recently might have noticed the addition of two new shops taking early advantage of the creative-quarters plan that is in place for the area.

The first is Harbour Monkey, a well presented little shop selling hand made cards, photographic prints, jewellery and bags – it’s worth a trip if you are in the area. You’ll find it on Market Street, just off Marine Parade, Margate.

Just a few feet up from Harbour Monkey, a florists shop called The Flower Lab is in the final stages of preparation before they open (which by the looks of it won’t be long). I believe the owner, Thomas Reeves, already owns a florists in Canterbury so I’m looking forward to seeing their work and hope that they do well in this new location.

Like with any new venture, the first few months are the most crucial, so when you’re in the area why not take a look and support our independent local businesses.