Margate pier arm to be lit up with bars, restaurants and artists' studios

Bars, restaurants and artist studios could open as early as next February on Margate's harbour arm.

Developer Pineapple Properties has submitted a plan to transform the sheds as part of the regeneration plans for Margate.

The man charged with redeveloping the town, Derek Harding, of Margate Renewal Partnership, said the planning application was progressing well with Thanet council and the hope is to have the development completed as early as next February.

Fisherman Kevin Castro has agreed to use the end shed to store nets and equipment, leaving the rest of the sheds for the development.

The artist studio and gallery space will be run by Isle of Thanet Gallery Arts, following the closure of its Royal Esplanade show space, Ramsgate, in February.

The sheds, which were painted by Maltese artist Norbert Francis Attard as part of a Turner Contemporary exhibition in March, will soon be lit by 40 giant light emitting diodes, capable of displaying all the colours of the rainbow.

The LEDs form part of a £100,000 Harbour Lights scheme, including traditional seafront lighting, floodlights on the upper walkway and uplighters to illuminate the lighthouse and the clocktower of Droit House. Money for the lights, which should be up and running by October, has come from the Safer Stronger Communities Fund and East Kent Partnership.

Mr Harding said: "The great thing about this simple idea is that the public can control the flashing light sequences through SMS text messages.

"They can control the colour, pattern and frequency. We want to encourage projects which will make the town more attractive to residents and visitors. The lighting will influence the general security, safety and ambience of the harbour arm."

Source: This is Kent