Town Promoter Update - October 2017

The summer season is now well and truly over and we find ourselves looking forward to the delights of winter in our lovely town. During the past few months, apart from the beautifully restored Royal Pavilion, which is now a Wetherspoon, we have had several new additions to our working town and we welcome them all; The Schoolwear Centre and The Burger Bar & Smoke House in Harbour Street; Francesca’s Waffle Bar in Queen Street; The Home Front Cafe in King Street; The Galley Cafe in West Cliff Arcade; The Ram Coffee House and Wine Bar in Grange Road; The Victoria Italian restaurant in Hardres Street; Juzzhair in Chatham Street plus il Tricolore restaurant and Nice Things have both relocated to bigger venues in Harbour Street. I wish them all lots of success and happiness with their new ventures in Ramsgate. 

This year, we have the usual Christmas Lights Switch On, paid for by Ramsgate Town Council, on Sunday November 26, from midday. The Giant Human Snow Globe is also back after popular demand! There will of course be a grotto for Santa and he has assured me the presents will be of the same great standard as last year. The land train will be returning along with a few children’s rides and hopefully a snow machine again. The Knicknakkery Vintage and Craft Fair will be joining in so you can pick up some lovely, unique Christmas presents and there will be lots of live entertainment all afternoon followed by the switching on of the lights at around 4:15pm, by the Mayor of Ramsgate, Councillor Trevor Shonk.

Addington Street will also be holding a winter fair on December 10, after the success of their summer revival fair, so pop along and join them for a mince pie and lots of festive fun! There will of course be plenty of Carol Services - some by candlelight which are fabulous for getting into the Christmas spirit. 

We hope to have a late night open evening this year with our independent shops and galleries so watch out for this and please try and support it if you can. It will be a lovely evening, full of Christmas cheer, mince pies, stollen, mulled wine and other lovelies will be on offer at many of our independent shops to entice you to buy your Christmas pressies locally.

For the fourth year running, we have the splendid sight of Ramsgate Illuminations at our Royal Harbour, where dozens of our fantastic boat owners volunteer to decorate and illuminate their boats for our delight throughout December. If you aren’t feeling Christmassy yet, this sight for sore eyes will definitely get you into the spirit!

Finally, make sure you come down to the harbour on New Year’s Eve and enjoy the fireworks to see the New Year in with a bang, fizz and pop. Here’s to a great Christmas in Ramsgate and I hope you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Written by:
Rebekah Smith
Ramsgate Town Promoter