local businesses workshop

An entrepreneurial spirit

Thanet currently experiences 2 million day visitors per year. How do we get them to stay longer and spend more? Businesses could contribute positively to the development of Margate by helping to establish to a multi faceted offer to local people and visitors.

“Our businesses are our passion and we want to share that with the local community. We relay on local trade.”
Business workshop participant.

• Margate should not become and ‘elitist ghetto’ –that’s not what local people want.
• Businesses should work together and the chamber of commerce must back these initiatives

Big business vs. small businesses

• Big business will provide a service to the community through employment and offers choice. However as a big business grows they tend to leave developing areas in search for lower overheads.
• Small businesses need to be nurtured. Small businesses grow and can be a strong and active part of the community as they have strong family ties.~
  
  “I want my business to be a part of anything that makes Margate a worthwhile town to live in.” Business workshop participant.

Views of Margate from local business

Local businesses are currently not very integrated in the community. We asked cultural and creative businesses what attractive qualities currently exists in Margate and what they think Margate lacks?

Margate’s attractive qualities?

• Clean beaches


• Infrastructure- life guards, road cleaners


• Sense of community


• Police station


• Post Office


• Railway station


• Road links


• Supportive local govt


• Bank


• Old town centre


• Musical history


• Cheap accommodation

Things Margate lacks?

• Super fast broadband


• Assigned space and support for small businesses


• Faster rail link


• International appeal


• Sustainable investment


• Vibrant economy


• Better facilities- accommodation, buses, childcare


• Unified marketing approach


• More visitor attractions


• Injections of cash to develop the public spaces


• Better wages and jobs


• Better educational links


• Business tax relief/ tax free periods.

Meeting in the middle: What of the listed items can be achieved in Margate?

• Mixed use venues that allow for projects and ideas to be incubated and nurtured and allows people to come together in a way the currently does not exist.


• An ‘Umbrella’ marketing approach that take the multi faceted aspects of Margate into account and one that attracts national and international tourists.


• Better links with institutions.


• Good quality active communication channels.


• Digital meeting points and Notice boards- there needs to be points of interaction with a strong level of quality control through a trusted intermediary e.g. Hidden Arts.


• Enthusiasm and positive messages that can improve the perception of Margate.


• Investing in the role of culture and tourism as persuasive means to attract new people, new businesses and bring that energy and excitement back to Margate.


• Encourage existing businesses to engage with and contribute to what is going on.


• Hard to employ people from the area as they are hard to find or seem to lack the necessary skills.

Stepping forward- integration into the community

• Ÿ A Cultural Vision needs to link to and build on things that are already existing in Margate.
• There should be multiple entry points which allow people to engage in a way that suits them.
  
  “Businesses with expertise in specific fields can play powerful roles in establishing ‘pride of place’ by bringing something different to the table .”
  Business workshop participant.
  
• Engaging the disengaged- could be achieve through a less prescriptive offer of events and activities:
  Ÿ - The role of music - very common entry point. There is already a lot of excitement when Margate hosts live bands. It attracts outside interest and gives positive messages within an beyond a town.
  Ÿ - The role of sport - engagement here already exists and has a naturally strong place in Thanet’s culture and should be worked into an approach that includes, youth, families, communities and international links.
  
• Build on existing leisure and tourism programmes such as ‘The Greeters Programme‘ - where visitors to Margate are shown around through a personal tour by a local resident or the ‘Thanet Pride Awards’ - recognising people working as ambassadors for the town.
• New initiatives should be introduced such as taxi driver training- where Taxi drivers are coached on how to showcase Margate to new visitors.
• Pride of place- There needs to be a head on approach tackling how Margate is perceived by local residents. There needs to be a sense of pride in the people of Margate in order for any changes to be sustainable.

Margate Rocks 08

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE LAUNCH OF MARGATE ROCKS 08 FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ART

Friday 2 May 6pm

The Pie Factory, 5 – 9 Broad Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1EW

Featuring: Exhibition previews Animate Projects presents Salvage Miss Rosie Cooper presents Performance of A Mysterium Tropical Robots presents The Jigsaw Project

Animate Projects presents Salvage

7 – 8pm

Margate Media Centre, 11-13 King Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1DA
Animate Projects present a programme of artists’ films that explore – directly and indirectly – our relationship with, and intervention in, the natural world. Including multi-award winning animations, and two longer films by artists at the forefront of experimental documentary. Featuring work by Inger Lise Hansen, Sandra Lahire, John Parry, Semiconductor, Chris Shepherd & David Shrigley, Cordelia Swann, and Run Wrake.

Miss Rosie Cooper presents Performance of A Mysterium

8.30pm and 9.30pm (two sittings)

Walpole Bay Hotel & Living Museum, Fifth Avenue, Cliftonville, Kent CT9 2JJ

Free, first come first served

A half hour spectacular of lights, music and props within the ballroom of the quirky Walpole Bay Hotel & Living Museum.

Tropical Robots presents The Jigsaw Project

10.30pm

West Coast, King Street, Margate
Free, no booking required

Tropical Robots presents The Jigsaw Project and an evening of eclectic pop, sonic experiments and downright fun times!

Festival Dates

Saturday 3 May – Sunday 11 May

Opening Times 10am – 6pm weekends and Bank Holiday Monday 12 – 6pm weekdays

All events are FREE, unless specified

For more information about Margate Rocks 08 telephone (+44) 07530 207 439 or visit www.margaterocks.com

Artists and other creative professionals required to contribute to a Public Realm Strategy for Margate, Kent

Margate Renewal Partnership is looking for creative people with a good working knowledge of Margate and its communities to contribute to the development of Margate's public realm strategy.

Integral to the strategy process is establishing a Creative Advisory Group that will work alongside the appointed consultant. Margate is developing its creative narrative, most notably with an expanding Creative Quarter in the Old Town and the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery. A key strand of this work is placing innovation and creativity into the heart of the public realm (streets, roads and public spaces).

Your role will be to work alongside other members of the Creative Advisory Group during workshops and bring knowledge of Margate and a creative perspective to the public realm planning and consultation process.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: May 6th 08 - MIDDAY

Interviews in Margate during the week beginning May 12th 08 TBA

Provisional dates and times for workshops:

1st workshop:
May 23rd 08
10am – 4pm

2nd workshop:
May 30th 08
10am – 4pm

3rd workshop:
June 6th 08
10am – 4pm

Application packs are available from Rory McNally
Tel: 01622 666076
Email: rory.mcnally@jacobs.com

LEARNING & SKILLS WORKSHOP: Building Blocks

Resistance in creative learning is not from the institutions but from lack of awareness by locals.

• There is a social divide between the Thanet towns.



• Knowledge transfer means different things to different people but ultimately it is about sharing and exchanging beyond the divide.


• No one wants to feel like culture is being done un to them.
  
• We need to look at culture and decide how we are going to deliver it as a concept.


• If culture is going to be the focus there needs to be an agreement of what it is or ought to be and the role of institutions to help make it happen.


• If Margate feels abandoned then there is little hope for change- young people are a crucial means of turning this perception around.


• Culture needs to be a tool of raising aspirations.


• Margate as a place has low expectations.

Demographics:

• High unemployment


• Out of reach community groups


• High levels of deprivation
  



• There are a lot of negative connotations associated with Margate which is disseminated through the media, through its residents and so perpetuates.



• Negativity is only good to get funding but is ultimately bad for the town as it doesn't attract visitors.

A gateway to communities and families

We need to encourage local people to engage in the cultural aspects of Margate- to enjoy it and feel a sense of place.

• Many of Margate’s residents are unlikely to go to university so there needs to be a way of using informal education if learning and skills is to play a role in the cultural vision.


• The role of formal and informal learning can bring both parents and family’s into cultural/creative activities


• .If their children are doing it then they will want to take part.


• We must ensure that parents are encouraged to so participate in their child’s cultural activities and not make them exclusively for the children.


• There should be an outdoor performance space in Margate.


• One-off spectacles are always successful here but there should also be a consistent programme of activity and institutions can play a positive role here.


• Activities in colleges, institution and/or organisations should compliment each other.


• There needs to be a portal where our projects/ information can be shared.


• If we are going to use culture as a means of building Margate and the aspirations of it’s residence then we need to establish a niche.

The role of formal and informal learning

• Institutions need to develop closer working relationships with professionals from the cultural and creative industries.

Thanet College has increasing links with businesses but this could go further.

• Consortiums can help develop relationships between the two sectors.
• Starting up new courses are expensive and time consuming.
• As institutions are becoming more demand lead is becomes harder to introduce new courses when there is little understanding of the demand for them.
• Informal learning in partnership with the formal sector can offer an insight into the demand for such courses and make a direct contribution to the cultural vision.

How can the formal and informal learning sectors be dovetailed to interface more effectively?

• Wider age groups and demographics need to be considered:
• Offer life-long learning for older generations.
• Provide learning opportunities for disengaged children and young people.
• Offer skills development to those unemployed or on benefit.
• Institutions can share activities where parents and children, communities can be creative together.
• A parent or adult can learn from a child’s creativity.There needs to be better communication between institutions so not to replicate projects and perpetuate the nature of social divide in Thanet.
• There needs to be a more developed relationship with the local press so they can start sharing positive aspects of Margate and encourage visitor even from neighbouring towns.

Visibility for Regeneration

The use of ‘formal’ learning spaces can be unappealing to many so we need to consider using other more popular venues e.g. the arcades.

• This would increase the possibility of transferring ‘knowledge capital’ into problem areas.


• These problem areas need to be identified and targeted as spaces for positive use.


• We need a vision that also educates people on how to use it.


• They have to believe in it and be committed to it for the vision to work.

OPEN SPACE: A VISUAL SYNOPSIS

All scribes by Joel Cooper

1. CULTURE AND ART ARE FOR EVERYONE

Margate Open Space Event Group 1
Session 1

Culture and art are for everyone. How do we engage all communities? This is not just for artists – it’s for all.

Discussion led by Carla Wenham-Jones

Key discussion points/themes:
- Elitism within the arts & culture: importance of ownership; engagement; accessibility.
- Communication: on local and national levels; its role in raising awareness; source of information.
- The case for arts & culture specifically in Margate: history/heritage; funding; sustainability.
- Public/local engagement: making use of local resources; cultural diversity within Margate.
- Entrepreneurial opportunities within Margate: their link to arts & culture.


Action points:
1. Eliminate elitist status of arts & culture and ensure its sustainability – address exclusion and lack of engagement in arts & culture.
2. Use of multiple media forms for access and communication (e.g. website devoted to Margate’s arts & culture, as well as alternative non-internet based forms of communication).
3. Key role of Turner Contemporary in establishing Margate’s arts & culture scene and its use in effective communication.
4. Funding – seek alternative sources, also bearing in mind future sustainability.

2. GALLERY SPACE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS

Margate Open Space Event Group 1
Session 2

Discussion led by Bill Pitt

Key discussion points/themes:
- Lack of available/suitable/affordable work space for artists in Margate (and Thanet as a whole)
- Thorough discussion on Harbour Arms and the possibilities it displays in addressing the lack of artists’ work space
- Is there a market for art work in Thanet?
- The Turner Contemporary’s and UCCA’s key role in addressing these issues
- Definitions of ‘affordable work space’ and ‘local artists’

Action points:
1. Identify what is public and what is private available space for artists (in Margate and Thanet)
2. Make use of Harbour Space (they are currently working on an open agenda)
3. Affordability linked to planning use of space
4. Seminars for artists to learn how to negotiate space. Give skills, not space. (note: Businesslilnk in collaboration with UCCA have done this in the past)
5. Identify external funding sources
6. Develop a mechanism for interacting with local authority to influence planning process
7. Bring abandoned properties back for artists to use

3. MARGATE ROCKS - IS IT IMPORTANT FOR MARGATE?

Margate Open Space Event Group 1
Session 3

Discussion led by Jessica Baum

Key discussion points/themes:
- Margate Rock’s background, importance and future
- How can MR be sustainable?

Action points:
1. Revise programme/budget in light of less funding for this year
2. Crisis meeting with funders
3. Capacity – "Train to Gain" (LSC). Find out who the Train to Gain broker for Margate is and initiate contact
4. Other funding sources/sponsors eg. developers
5. Continue or not?

4. HOW CAN MARGATE COMPETE AGAINST OTHER SEASIDE TOWNS IN KENT?

Margate Open Space Event Group 2
Session 1

Discussion led by Rupert Davis

Key discussion points/themes:
Assets that make Margate unique compared to other towns in East Kent
- ‘Brand’ of Margate
- Geography – sandy beaches, bay, climate, green spaces
- Architecture and compact Old Town
- Cultural community – vibrant local inhabitants, nascent but growing community
- Turner Contemporary – needs to be utilised as a landmark for Margate to draw visitors who will then stay
- Need to preserve affordable space for galleries and artist’s work space to entice more artists to Margate

What Margate is lacking:
- evening economy
- music scene
- series of exciting and accessible events
- amenities such as public toilets and good quality accommodation
- link between the beach and other attractions to draw visitors from the beach into Margate.
- small scale creative industries
- mix of national and independent retailers
- high quality public sector realm

Action Points:
1. A co-ordinated cultural offer is needed to link together towns in East Kent
2. Margate needs a focused, coherent vision of art in the public realm which needs to include a brief for artists applying for funding or answering tenders to connect all artistic input
3. Development money is needed to preserve Margate’s assets, to protect Margate’s unique buildings from conversion into commercial properties, and for the development of Dream Land to conserve the character of Margate

5. EXODUS: HOW DO WE MOVE ON? LESSONS TO BE LEARNT

Margate Open Space Event Group 2
Session 2

Discussion led by Claudia Leaf

Key discussion points/themes:
- Right project / wrong time? Was the risk element too great? Was it the right time for Margate to do an ambitious large scale project when it has good quality small scale local work?
- With the burning of Gormley’s Waste Man, Margate gained no permanent, iconic landmark from the project. The limitations of one-off events has highlighted the need for a permanent piece of public art and a series of 10 or 12 good events per year in order to aid regeneration.
- Problem of the Caroline Deeds Channel 4 documentary Waste Man which focused on the negative aspects of Margate, perpetuating stereotypes and emphasising decay.
- The community has been left with the feeling that the institutions and funding bodies involved did not see the project through to the end. There was no report on the project or public forum to discuss what went wrong so mistakes were never identified and learnt from.
- Margate does not self-promote. Small scale, good quality work taking place in Margate is not being communicated internationally, nationally, or even in Margate.

Action Points:
1. In order for the lessons from Exodus to be put into practice there needs to be a public forum made up of artists and members of the public from all backgrounds to evaluate mistakes.
2. To facilitate learning an artistic network needs to be set up, through proper organisation of the informal one which already exists.
3. A clear, coherent and open artistic strategy needs to be developed to co-ordinate access to funding.
4. Margate needs to develop a marketing strategy to communicate projects both within Margate, nationally and internationally.

6. WHOSE CULTURE AND VISION IS IT ANYWAY?

Margate Open Space Event Group 2
Session 3

Discussion led by Phil Oldfield

Key discussion points/themes:
- The cultural vision for Margate is tied in with institutions, such as the Council, and their vision of culture and regeneration.
- Thanet culture is tied in with the business culture. Art is under economic pressure and is increasingly commercial in order to meet the demands of businesses.
- There is no cohesive idea of what culture is in Margate. It is diverse and formed by people passing through as well as residents. These multiple cultural ideas and diversity are positive but an overarching cultural strategy is also needed.
- Margate needs more risk taking in culture and art – risk taking is the only way to grow, but how do we allow this in our community?
- Lack of belief in Margate by its residents – people no longer perceive its assets and potential. People need to visualise regeneration.

Action Points:
1. Communication – the artistic community needs a voice and there needs to be increased communication between institutions and artists.
2. Have to create a place where businesses and people want to live and increase footfall by use of arts.
3. Margate needs an arts festival with popular icons and popular culture that will engage everyone, including the marginalised.

7. FUTURE FOR ARTIST LED SPACES IN MARGATE

Margate Open Space Event Group 3
Session 1

Discussion led by Limbo

Key discussion points/themes:
- It’s hard to organise local artists
- It’s hard to get funding
- The question was raised: how are artists valued? What does Margate need to be contemporary?
- “Our generation was the backbone for regeneration. Now, 30 years on, we are under threat of regeneration. The worst case scenario is that we are going to be wiped out by regeneration.”
- “The council don’t care about investment and it seems as though they are only interested in investing when they are able to buy the building. Their motive is regeneration and economy, meaning that the artist can’t be sustained.
- People are wanting and demanding different things. Artists are willing to work on commissioned work for nothing- they are clamouring over each other to work for free. This shows that artists are not valued at all. This needs to be recognised and considered before we start producing art for art’s sake.

Action points:
1. Initiatives have to be provided for things to flourish.
2. Artists need to be recognised as one, otherwise there will be conflicting communities. It’s about networking or trying to find a network.
3. Working creatively with people can spark interest and more funding.
4. We need to create a group of like-minded artists to come together on a regular basis.

8. YOUTH CULTS

Margate Open Space Event Group 3
Session 2

Discussion led by Nick Dermott

Key discussion points/themes:
- Britain invented youth cults and Margate pioneered the mods and rockers back in the 1960’s. It’s what Margate was known for
- Everyone under the age of 65 belonged to one
- All youth cults have music attached to them: teddy boys, mods and rockers, punks, skin heads, glam rock, new age etc.
- Cult is always evolving and always acquiring new members and young people are apart of the evolving of society.These cults are fundamental to Englishness and we should celebrate cults and differences.

Main idea:
- The idea is to make Dreamland the centre for a 'music museum' showing the history of youth cults and music, and a venue for musicians and bands to come and play music.
- This is something that The Pie Factory- and the Youth Music Action Zone would really like to be a part of.
- There is a very live music scene in Margate e.g. the Lido and Britannia pub are currently venues for presenting new music/acts.
- We think nostalgia in past youth cults could benefit Margate. There is now a mutual respect across the cults and a great level of sophistication in visuals and sounds with youth cults could be provided at dreamland.
- A museum of youth cults is a good way for kids to know what has happened before as it will show the history of music and will help them understand the current gang rivalry situation that is occurring. Also kids will become ‘accidental historians’.
- There is possible funding here and Margate could be an entertainment Mecca!

Action points:
1.The project needs a board, a constitution and an organisation - lets meet asap to start the process

2. Getting Dreamland planning
3. Application for lottery fund
4. Organise a fundraising concert to get things started

9. SPACE BEYOND BUILDINGS

Margate Open Space Event Group 3
Session 3

Discussion led by Chris Tipping

Key discussion points/themes:
- Bob Geldof recently described Margate as ugly.
- We need to invigorate common spaces in Margate, as these spaces are not defined.
- The biggest thing about Margate is the sea and land and we need to make unison between natural landscape and man made landscape and this could be done with interaction technology.
- The ugliness of the man made landscape detracts from the natural landscape that is beautiful and we have the opportunity to re-engage with it
- If you take away the boundaries you allow people to interact.
- The seafront has the most barriers where there shouldn’t be any. The old town doesn’t have any boundaries and this should be brought to the front.
- Technology could help bring down these barriers by making Margate one big communal space through Intelligent Way Finding. By doing this we can do away with conventional signage. By de-cluttering the landscape people are able to move in an intuitive way.
- There could be a way of using natural landscape to interpret the space. E.g. The sea plays on tides and shifts and natural things could be tied into navigation.
- The question was raised as to if these ideas were far-fetched? The answer was no, as examples of this have been found in Southampton. At the moment Interactive Way Finding is being used that sends information about the area to your phone as you walk by.
- There are two levels that have been addressed here: nature and technology. We need to marry these two together. By taking risks and working towards regeneration, we can be bold and try something different.
- We need to readdress the boundaries between the town and the sea.
- Green landscape tends to be ignored. In the past civic pride was always expressed through seaside gardens. Now we need to evolve that and see the potential in it for the future.
- This could be achieved through our Squares - we have some really fantastic squares such as ‘Hawley’ and ‘Cecil’ so we need to invest in the quality of those spaces. By doing this it could be an investment in the property around it.
- Margate is made up of different areas and this has made it disjointed. There is a need to hold them together through healthier and transitional spaces. When you piece them together they make a substantial space.

Action points:
1. We should start to tackle Cecil Square. By doing this it would make a big statement to the other areas and squares.
2. Civic pride: tackle one area at a time, which can spin out if you do it well!
3. We need to exploit technology in an innovative way.
4. We need to start de-cluttering spaces (e.g. Ashley ring road- once that momentum gets going Margate will feel they can do that too!)
5. Camaraderie is needed and important
6. Someone in authority has to think about what is right for everybody
7. We need watertight research to follow things through that would make a good reference document

It’s very important that this is fun as most areas are successful in regenerating if they can bring children into it. Here is an opportunity to get the energy back!

10. SIGNAGE TO ART AND CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES

Margate Open Space Event Group 4

Session 1

The use of signage and open space for art and cultural heritage of the Thanet Coast

Discussion led by Malcolm Kirkaldie

Key discussion points/themes:
- Out of date signs
- Internal and external town signage needs work as it is confusing and out of date
- Current signage does not comply with disability accessibility
- An identity is needed for the area - residents are not relating to the space they live in

Action Points:
1. Conduct an audit to identify all out of date signs and where new signage is needed
2. Lobby Thanet District Council, Kent County Council and Kent Highways to make changes to signage
3. Margate Civic Society representative to bring up signage issues with the Property Services Forum

11. PROTECTING OUR GREEN SPACES

Margate Open Space Event Group 4

Session 2

Discussion led by Margaret Main

Key discussion points/themes:
- Conservation officer for green spaces needed for Thanet
- Too much focus on built environment and not enough on green spaces
- Flower beds and topiary have disappeared in favour of low cost / low maintenance gardens
- Council needs to publicise good works as the public don’t know about some of the positive work that is being done

Action Points:
1. Conservation officer needed at the Council
2. Educate adults and children in conservation - through schools and publicity
3. Small grant fund for green spaces that community groups can bid into

12. OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTIVITIES THAT BRING GENERATIONS TOGETHER

Margate Open Space Event Group 4
Session 3

Discussion led by Vera Elliott

Key discussion points/themes:
- Community spirit is missing
- Older people are victims of ageism
- Older people fear the youth
- Make use of established groups to promote exchange of activities
- English culture is not family orientated

Action Points:
1. Mobilise schools and community groups to work together
2. Ensure that this issue is part of the Margate cultural vision
3. Arrange a meeting between Youth Council and Thanet Senior Citizens to make a start on addressing this issue

A Cultural Vision for Margate

LOOKING FORWARD:
How can art and culture contribute to and benefit from the regeneration of Margate?

What could a cultural vision for Margate be?

What do you want it to be?

How can we be aspirational and realistic?

Margate Renewal Partnership has commissioned an Open Space event on the 22nd of February at the Winter Gardens.You will be able to express any ideas you have as well as listen to those of others. All main decision makers, funders, planners and practitioners are being invited to attend and engage with artists, creatives and cultural activists.

An Open Space meeting starts off with no agenda; You set the topics to be discussed. You, the participant, then “vote with your feet”. Scribes note the main points and the results will be immediately posted on a special website ready for action: http://margateculture.blogspot.com

It is as simple as that. This event is open to the public, business owners, community groups- anyone who wants to contribute to the visioning process for Margate.

This is your chance to be heard, to listen, to meet, to shape the agenda and to make a difference.

- Opening remarks by Sarah Gaventa, Director of CABE Space, which is embarking on a programme to enhance the physical environment of seaside towns.
- Welcome and introductions from Pam Alexander, Chief Executive, South East England Development Agency
- Contributions from Thanet District Council, Arts Council England South East, Kent County Council, Turner Contemporary, Creative Partnerships, and representatives from across the arts and cultural sector.

LOCATION: Winter Gardens, Fort Cres, Margate CT9 1HX
DATE: 22nd February 2008
TIME: 2pm - 6pm (Lunch will be served from 1pm-2pm)
If you would like to attend please RSVP to: root@mush-rooms.com specifying any special requirements.