The Old Wine Warehouse in Ramsgate was No Use Empty
The toast of Ramsgate town is a new creative community hub made possible by support from Kent County Council (KCC).
The once derelict Old Wine Warehouse on Charlotte Court has been transformed into three distinct spaces offering a comfortable office environment with hot desks (Ramsgate Works), a café area with outside courtyard seating and gardens and an atmospheric cellar bar and performance space (Ramsgate Arts Club).
KCC’s No Use Empty scheme, which is celebrating 20 years of bringing vacant properties back into use through its low-cost loan scheme, provided an interest bearing loan towards the project. Meanwhile, KCC’s Kent and Medway Business Fund supplied a small business boost loan specifically for the 60-seater basement venue.
Ramsgate Heritage Lab, a not-for-profit organisation, had the vision for the Victorian brick building, which it bought in 2023.
During those two years, 38 individual contractors, the majority of which came from Thanet, worked on it. The enterprise will support 40 jobs plus six apprenticeships every year. The data suggests more than 10,000 people will visit it, bringing welcome footfall, income and ideas into the heart of the town.
There are already 20 members using the first floor work space, which opened in April.
Further funding to make it a reality has come from the Kent Community Foundation and the Architectural Heritage Fund plus pro bono support from community partners, adding up to a total investment of £600,000.
It had its official launch on Thursday (26 June).
Steve Grimshaw, Strategic Programme Manager for KCC’s flagship No Use Empty scheme, said: “My first communication with Rob was in March 2020 desperate to find a suitable empty property to be brought back into use. Then in September 2022 we started to discuss the possibility of NUE providing financial support to breathe life into 1 Charlotte Court. Several months later and we were in contract. It just goes to shows that good things come to those who persist in making a vision become a reality. This multi-purpose venue will be a hub of activity for the community, provide jobs and a place for visitors to explore. Well done to all those involved.”
KCC’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Coastal Regeneration Jamie Henderson said: “The No Use Empty scheme is just incredible. This is my favourite part of my role so far. It doesn’t cost the taxpayer any money, it’s self-funding, it generates jobs and income in numerous ways, including increasing the value of properties locally. It boosts pride in a community and reduces the opportunity for crime. Everybody is winning.
“I’d encouraged anyone with an idea for an empty property to get in touch for that initial conversation. The team helps make magic happen, like here in Ramsgate. On the doorstep in Thanet, people are very against building property on farmland and this is the obvious solution, giving existing properties a new future.”
Rob Kenyon, CEO of Heritage Lab Ramsgate, told the gathered guests: “After years of effort, I’m still slightly stunned that we’ve actually got the project over the line. Getting to this moment has taken quite a lot of resilience and a good deal of caffeine and frankly more WhatsApp messages than anyone should endure.
“What you are seeing is the result of sheer determination from a small but mighty Heritage Lab team, working with brilliant contractors, generous funders and patient partners who stuck with us through every brick, beam and horrific project delay entirely beyond our control.
“It’s not been an easy feat, but we believe Ramsgate deserved better and we hope now it has it with this vibrant creative and community space.”
Heritage Lab’s next project will be restoring Ramsgate’s art deco East Cliff Shelters.
Rob added: “If you thought restoring a Victorian wine warehouse was tricky, wait until you see us wrangle degraded concrete, steel and sea spray.
“We’ve got quite a list of properties that we would like to see regenerated in Ramsgate. Throughout all our work, our mission will remain the same. Unlocking Ramsgate’s potential by bringing heritage back to life for the benefit of local people and creating and supporting local jobs.”
The Old Wine Warehouse was originally built by local wine merchants Page & Sons. The firm, founded in 1804 by Richard Page, is believed to be the oldest privately-owned wine merchants in the UK still in operation. His descendants were at the launch and the company will stock the basement bar.
The building has also housed a martial arts club and a Michelin Guide restaurant.
There are plans to renovate its tiled façade during the next phase of the project. A contract for the café is due to be signed imminently, and the Ramsgate Arts Club welcomed its first patrons over the weekend.
The launch was also attended by East Thanet MP Polly Billington and Councillor Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council.
of innovation, partnership working or individual persistence to make lasting change, and significant differences. These awards present the opportunity to share with others the great work being done across the country, and give recognition to the outstanding achievements of teams, organisations and individuals.
NUE would like to congratulate all the winners announced and give thanks to the Empty Homes Network for once again bringing together so many professionals from across the UK and beyond to learn, discuss and share with us their knowledge and experiences in the field of empty homes.
Special thanks to Thomas Aspinall of Folkestone & Hythe District Council who produced the Before and After video and to Jo Godden of Kent County Council whose news report was considered in the Best use of Media category.