A formerly derelict building has been converted into a venue, bar, speakeasy and workspace set to create 40 jobs.
The former Old Wine Warehouse on Charlotte Court, Ramsgate, has been up for renovation since 2023, when Heritage Lab Ramsgate purchased it.
The Community Interest Company (CIC) planned the refurbishment of the Victorian building and has worked on it since 2023.
It is also behind the recently announced revamp of the sea shelters on the East Cliff promenade in Ramsgate.
At the opening of the facility last week (June 26), Rob Kenyon, founder and chief executive of Heritage Lab said: “We want to restore pride in the town, we want to create jobs, there’s been no net job growth in this town for 10 years.
“We want to support good jobs for local people, get more people using the town centre, get more local people into businesses and help do our bit to get Ramsgate regenerated.”
The enterprise at the Old Wine Warehouse is set to support 40 jobs plus six apprenticeships every year.
The cellar now hosts a bar and arts and a performance space known as Ramsgate Arts Club.
Outside in the courtyard is now a cafe, and the building also hosts “hot desks” as a work space under the name Ramsgate Works.
The workspace opened in April and already has 20 regular users.
Bernie Morgan, chairwoman of Heritage Lab, said: “We are people from the community working on it to keep it going.
“We’re constantly consulting people, we’re constantly talking to people about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and we want it to be at the heart of the community.”
The building was originally constructed by local wine merchants Page & Sons in about 1890.
The firm itself was founded in 1804 and is thought to be the oldest wine merchant business in the UK still in operation – it is now based on the Pysons Road Industrial Estate on the other side of the town.
The building, which is set to retain its historic tiled facade, has also previously hosted a martial arts club and a restaurant.
East Thanet MP Polly Billington (Lab) praised the project at its launch, saying: “Creativity is absolutely at the heart of economic regeneration.
“This could well become the kind of creative hub that can really get things going.
“We’ve got so much creative energy here in Ramsgate, having something like this will really harness that energy to make a difference.”
Kevin O’Connor, project manager for Heritage Lab, said regarding the Arts Club aspect: “It’s a 60-seat intimate space.
“Eventually we’ll be doing live music – jazz gigs, acoustic gigs, comedy, poetry, spoken word, film screenings, alternative cabaret and comedy.
“Regeneration is so important to bring back buildings, celebrate the heritage of this building and create jobs for people who need them, it’s really important.”
Kent County Council’s No Use Empty scheme, which has existed for 20 years, contributed £431,500 to the project, and the Kent and Medway Business Fund also supplied a loan to the project.
