We hope everyone had a successful summer season and that you have all recovered from the extreme heat we experienced recently. It certainly kept us all on our toes.
In this issue, we bring you a reminder of our Visitor Survey Research workshops, introduce you to the newest member of our team, and share upcoming business forums alongside the latest news from Thanet District Council.
Tourism and Visitor Services News
Visitor Information Centre Update
The Visitor Information Office in Droit House, Margate, was closed earlier this week. It will reopen to the public tomorrow, Friday 11 September. The Heritage Open Days exhibition will be available to view as planned.
Unlock Thanet’s Off-Peak Potential: Workshops for Businesses
In 2025, Thanet’s Tourism Team conducted valuable visitor research to better understand the people visiting Thanet.
We will be running three workshops, one each in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate. These are designed to help you translate the research into actionable steps to help you maximise engagement during the autumn and winter.
The interactive sessions will be led by Chartered Marketer Bryony Bishop (BeeBee Communications). Born in East Kent and a Margate resident for 16+ years, Bryony brings 20+ years of high-level marketing expertise and deep local insight. Her track record includes roles as a marketing advisor for Thanet Tourism and Pie Factory Music in Ramsgate, an associate for national agency Blue Sail Tourism, and the marketing lead for Turner Contemporary’s founding team.
This blend of strategic expertise and local knowledge ensures you’ll walk away with practical advice to deliver lasting value for your business. Each workshop runs 10.30am to 1pm, with places limited to 20 at each. You can attend any workshop, regardless of which town your business is located.
Dates and venues:
- Thursday 17 September 10.30 to 1pm at San Clu Hotel, Ramsgate
- Tuesday 22 September 10.30 to 1pm at Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs
- Wednesday 23 September 10.30 to 1pm at Droit House (Thanet Visitor Information Centre), Margate
Contact tourism@thanet.gov.uk to book your place, providing your name, business name, role and contact details. Please note that we may need to limit attendance to one person per business.
Welcome to the Team
Welcome to our new Senior Tourism Officer, Nikki Causer.
Nikki was previously Head of Marketing at Southeastern Railway for more than seven years. Before this, she held senior marketing positions across a number of media and entertainment brands.
Nikki has a passion for Thanet, loves our great foodie scene, is inspired by the creativity of the isle and the array of galleries, loves our unique independent shops and is not averse to a paddle in the sea!
£10 Million Hospitality Grant Scheme
The Government has launched a new £10 million Hospitality Grant Scheme, providing funding over the next three years to support projects that help hospitality businesses start, grow and innovate. The scheme will support initiatives that bring vacant premises back into use, support skills and training programmes, and improve productivity across the sector.
Applications are being received from the end of September.
If you’re planning investment, expansion or development projects, this could be a valuable funding opportunity to explore. Find out more
Heritage Open Days
Thanet’s premier heritage festival returns from Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September, featuring a record-breaking 36 free events across Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and the surrounding villages. Aligning with this year’s national theme, ‘Everyday Histories’, the district-wide programme invites residents and visitors to explore hidden gems, historic landmarks and local stories. This includes events put on specifically for the festival and a peek inside some venues usually closed to the public.
Highlights include exclusive tours of the Walpole Bay Hotel, Pugin’s The Grange, Dickensian history and seaside archives at Margate’s Droit House.
Leaflets of the full programme are available at the Thanet Visitor Information Centre at Droit House as well as many venues around the Isle. There’s a dedicated page on our website www.visitthanet.co.uk/heritageopendays
Thanet in the Media
Since our last edition of Tourism Matters in July, Thanet has received an array of fantastic press coverage. You can read anything that you missed on our dedicated ‘We’re in The News’ webpage www.visitthanet.co.uk/press
Visitor Information Services Opening Hours
The Thanet Visitor Information Centres and kiosks are open throughout September and October for advice and information:
- Margate (Droit House): Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (with the exception of October half term, when open daily).
- Broadstairs (Promenade kiosk): Daily, 10am to 4pm (weather permitting) until Sunday 4 October.
- Ramsgate (The Custom House): Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10am to 1pm. From Tuesday 1 October, open Monday – Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
New Grow in Kent Non-Executive Chair Announced
Grow in Kent, the team responsible for delivering both Visit Kent and Invest Kent, has announced the appointment of its new Non-Executive Chair, Sarah Roots. Sarah will provide strategic leadership for the newly integrated service. With decades of experience in global business development and tourism, she will help steer the vision for a bold, integrated strategy that strengthens the visitor economy in Kent and Medway while positioning the region as a compelling destination for investors.
Thanet District Council
Planned changes paused
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Kent is being paused to allow a programme review. That was the announcement on Monday 7 September 2026 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). LGR is the proposal to replace the 14 existing district and county councils in Kent (including Thanet District Council) with four new unitary councils.
You can expect further updates on the revised timetable when this is decided.
Proposed changes to dog control rules
The existing Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) helps to ensure that Thanet’s beaches, parks and open spaces remain clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.
Proposals for the new PSPO contain a new restriction for dogs on leads on the Northern sea wall, between Cold Harbour and Plum Pudding at Birchington, and of no dogs on this beach area year-round. This is based on the evidence of significant impacts of disturbance on birds in this area received from Bird Wise East Kent.
The proposals will help us safeguard our local nature reserves and maintain our award-winning beaches. Have you say on Your Voice Thanet.
Parking at Walpole Bay
The area used for parking at Walpole Bay Tidal Pool isn’t an official car park. This summer the council saw persistent issues with speeding cars, unauthorised parking and campers staying overnight. The unregulated parking also obstructs vital access for the emergency services.
Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Heather Keen explains more about changes been made to how it’s dealt with.
Lifeguards on beaches
As summer comes to an end, so does the RNLI Lifeguard season, which finished at most of our bathing beaches on Sunday 6 September.
A weekend-only service will continue at Margate Main Sands and Viking Bay Broadstairs until Sunday 27 September.
September: Thanet Community and Voluntary Sector Forum
Join the next forum to hear the latest news from Thanet District Council. The Forum has been set up to ensure effective communication and collaboration between the council and local community and voluntary organisations. It provides a structured space to network, share insights, discuss challenges and stay informed about council developments and partnership opportunities. Local government reorganisation will be a regular agenda item to keep the sector updated.
Wednesday 24 September, 10am to 12pm at Newington Library, Marlowe Academy, Marlowe Way, Newington, Ramsgate CT12 6FA. Reserve your space.
BOSS Business Networking: Special focus on employing young people’
Join this special networking session to hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about the various incentives available for local organisations and businesses that employ (or would like to employ) a young person, including the £3,000 youth jobs grant.
The event takes place at the new Youth Employability and Skills Hub in Broadstairs. The Hub is the first of its kind in Kent and is a partnership between Nelson College London, DWP and Thanet District Council. Since opening in June 2026, over thirty young people have been supported into work or training.
Wednesday 30 September, 9:30am to 11am at the Youth Employability and Skills Hub, Nelson College, Northwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2RZ. Reserve your space.
Other News
Attend Seaside CEO to find funding for your business
September’s Seaside CEO session for small businesses focuses on how to raise and manage money. The expert panel will cover topics ranging from how to find angel investors to applying for the new South East Investment Fund.
Speakers include the CEO of the UK Business Angels Association, Jenny Tooth OBE, Lisa Young of Let’s Do Business (Kent’s delivery partner for StartUp and Growth Guarantee Loans), and two funders managing the South East Investment Fund, Alex Lindsay of Maven Capital Partners and Cheryl Weeks of the FSE Group. Local accountants will also be on hand to help you build cashflow forecasts and business plans.
Thursday 24 September, 5pm to 7pm at the Royal Temple Yacht Club, 6 Westcliff Mansions, Ramsgate CT11 9HY. Tickets are £5 per person, including drinks and networking. Book your tickets.
Your News
Anniversary Congratulations
Congratulations to the award-winning Cliftonville Farmers’ Market, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sunday 27 September. The market was established in 2001 by the Cliftonville Residents’ Association and is run entirely by volunteers.
Cast Your Vote
Ramsgate Community Cinema has been announced as a contender in the BIFA Cinema of the Year Award 2026, supported by Kia. This is the only national award celebrating cinemas at the heart of their communities. Voting is open until Monday 21 September and you can cast your vote here.
Michelin Guide Inclusion
Huge congratulations to the latest Thanet restaurants included in the Michelin Guide:
- Aster, Broadstairs (Fully Vegan)
- The Wellington, Margate
They join the following esteemed local establishments:
- Angela’s, Margate
- Bottega Caruso, Margate
- Kebbells, Broadstairs
- Sargasso, Margate
- Sète, Margate
- Quince, Westgate-on-Sea
Taste of Kent Award Finalists
Congratulations to the Thanet businesses announced as finalists in the 2026 Taste of Kent Awards:
- Kent Sweet Pantry Product of the Year: Sourdough Granola, Madre, Margate
- Kent Sweet Bakery Product of the Year: Tiramisu Doughnut, Bombo Doughnuts, Ramsgate
- Kent Independent Retailer of the Year: Little Wave Deli, Broadstairs
- Kent Food & Drink Market of the Year: Cliftonville Farmers’ Market, Margate
- Kent Food & Drink Innovation Award: Speciality Breads, Margate
Winners will be announced on Thursday 8 October. Good luck to you all!
