Ramsgate maritime museum will reopen in May after a new lease was signed between the Steam Museum Trust and Thanet council.

The new agreement includes a proposed lease and memorandum of agreement which covers the Clock House, Smeaton’s Dry Dock, unit 30 Military Road and related facilities at Ramsgate’s Royal Harbour.

Signing the lease has also ensured that the Dunkirk Little Ship, Sundowner, will now be able to represent Thanet in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee pageant on the Thames on June 2.

The document was signed following a decision notice from council leader Cllr Clive Hart (see left), which instructed officers to enter into an agreement with the Trust and to monitor the first year of the museum’s operation.

Cllr Hart said: “Moving quickly on this matter has been absolutely essential to ensure the museum has every opportunity to open in time for the May bank holiday weekend and to prevent the permanent loss of such an important community asset for Ramsgate.

"Signing this agreement now means that such a significant collection of maritime related historic and cultural artefacts will remain in the same place.

“People will be able once again to enjoy the displays and information that detail the work, courage and sacrifice of our maritime nation’s seafarers. This includes the 18th century jack tars of Nelson’s navy aboard the HMS Stirling Castle sunk on the Goodwins, the brave 19th century Ramsgate lifeboatmen and the 20th century servicemen during World War II.

“From England Expects to the Dunkirk Spirit, they all deserve to be remembered and honoured by both the people of today and future generations.”

Michael List Brain , chairman of the Steam Museum Trust, said: “This is the culmination of six years of negotiations with the council. We are confident that the Ramsgate Maritime Museum will in time become a centre of excellence and a substantial visitor attraction for the region.”