With Margate in the running to be rejuvenated by £25 million of government funding, its people were asked what they think of the town in a survey which uncovered a community divided...

Margate is a community split between affluent “DFLs” and people born and bred in the town who feel left behind, according to a major survey.

More than 1,200 residents made their voices heard as the council gathered feedback on how it should spend the £25 million it is trying to secure from the Government.

The majority of respondents raised concerns about the number of empty shops in Margate and litter problems.

Worryingly, every single young person spoken to by researchers said they felt unsafe - particularly at night. Most planned to leave the area in order to start their career.

But the major theme pervading throughout the responses was the impact of thousands of “Down from Londons” (DFLs) on the community.

One resident who had moved to Margate from the capital said: “It feels like Margate is being transformed for the DFLs (me included), and being neglected for the long-term residents.

“For example, the upper high street is very neglected, and the streets out of town look run down.

“Also [there are] not many things to do if you’re not a hipster.”

THEM AND US

The Margate Town Deal report found that in almost all instances, newcomers are far more positive about Margate than longer-established residents.

Residents described “a real divide between the new community arriving and the ‘native’ Margate population”.

While the arrival of the Turner Contemporary had enhanced Margate’s “arty” reputation, this hasn’t boosted prospects for residents.

One person who has lived in Thanet for more than 20 years said they have seen a “big shift” in the town.

“A lot of it has been positive but Margate has developed a ‘London sub-culture’ full of DFLs and now has an ‘us and them’ character about it where gentrification has taken place, but also those who are part of the artsy / hip scene and those who aren’t,” they said.

“This is the case with people but also with the physical infrastructure.”

Another bemoaned parts of Margate being left to become run down.

“The rich/poor divide is very obvious,” they said.

The survey was carried out as Thanet District Council looks to shape its Town Investment Plan. This will be submitted to Ministers, who will decide whether Margate is successful in its bid for £25m from the national Towns Fund pot.

The report concludes that the funds should help “deliver an all-year-round thriving economy” and make Margate a town people can be proud of.

With 1,249 people taking part in the survey between August and October, it also gives an insight into how residents currently feel about their community.

RUN DOWN

When asked which three words they would use to describe how visitors see Margate, the most common responses were “fun”, “beach” and “dirty”.

The report says: “The appearance of Margate was a consistent issue, with a particular focus on high levels of rubbish and derelict / empty buildings.”

One resident said: “It’s very run-down in areas, it’s dirty and in many places I don’t feel safe.”

Many were concerned about levels of deprivation in the town.

“The poverty is palpable,” said a respondent. “Parts of it feel like people have been dumped and forgotten about.”

“There are little gems in Margate but too much of the town is absolute squalor,” said another.

One resident added: “Despite the regeneration that has taken place, there is still a great deal of poverty and social deprivation here.

“Some of those that have recently moved from London have taken it upon themselves to be community organisers and ‘place changers’ but are often insensitive to local needs.”

PRICED OUT

Concerns were also raised about how difficult it is to get on the property ladder.

“It takes years to save up a deposit and then someone comes down from London and gazumps you,” a resident said.

One young person expressed concerns about drunks outside McDonald’s, adding: “The whole place looks like no one cares about it.”

Others spoke of being perceived as a source of anti-social behaviour.

“If you wear a tracksuit in town you get judged,” one said.

Emphasising the lack of high-paying jobs, another young person said: “Margate is getting better. I’d like more work experience in a really cool restaurant.

“But when I finish college I’ll be going to work in a city, there’s just not enough here.”

COVID IMPACT

Almost a fifth of businesses expect to make redundancies following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on takings, while 23% said they could close.

Despite its struggles, many were positive about the town.

“It is now returning to the glory days of old,” said one resident.

“The beaches are amazing and the links to all of the other lovely towns in Kent make it a great tourist destination.”

The place residents would most like the town to aspire to be like is Brighton.

The report admits there is “a sense of a community divided” and the need to “bring people together”. It notes that while some people feel “left behind”, the most popular response when people were asked to describe Margate in one word was “potential”.

But summing up residents’ frustration, one respondent said: “I’ve lived here 37 years and Margate has been ‘up and coming’ all that time. When is it going to get there?”

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