Rough sleepers have taken up residence in a Victorian shelter just months after it was refurbished following problems with a group of homeless people.

The shelter in Marine Drive in Margate was boarded up in March due to concerns for public safety.

It reopened in May after a revamp, which saw it cleared of litter, syringes and graffiti, repainted and lighting repaired.

But homeless people have returned to the spot, opposite Margate’s Main Sands, with fears there could be a return of problems seen earlier in the year, which led to its closure by Thanet District Council.

Margate resident Ian Smith, of Westbrook Avenue, spoke to one of the homeless people, who he says wants help getting off the streets.

But Mr Smith says he fears the shelter will need revamping again and tax payers will end up footing the bill.

Mr Smith said: “It’s not that I don’t feel sorry for them. It’s just I pay my rates and this will end up going towards paying to sort it all out again.”

Cllr Lin Fairbrass, Thanet District Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for community services, said: “The council will always try to engage with people who are sleeping rough in the district, although it is an unfortunate fact there are occasions when rough sleepers refuse to engage with us.”

Chris Thomas, spokesman for homelessness charity Porchlight, said the number of homeless people in the area was rising.

“There are lots of reasons why people find themselves homeless – many have been abused, are ill, have lost their homes, jobs, and even their families.” - Chris Thomas from homeless charity Porchlight

“Between April and December, Porchlight worked with 67 people in Thanet compared with 34 in the same time frame the year before,” he said. “Being homeless can be deadly at this time of year.

“Our team on the streets will make contact with the rough sleepers and help them find suitable accommodation and support for any problems they are facing.

“There are lots of reasons why people find themselves homeless – many have been abused, are ill, have lost their homes, jobs, and even their families.”

On December 1, two pilot initiatives – the Winter Shelter Scheme and Aspire Homeless Project – were launched to provide food, shelter and support to the growing number of rough sleepers in the area.

The aim is to provide immediate respite during the winter months, but also provide year-round support to help homeless people secure and retain accommodation and get training and employment.

Thanet District Council is providing £45,000 towards the schemes, which are also being supported by the Homelessness Forum and Thanet’s churches.