An up and coming queen on the Thanet drag scene, aptly named 'Janet District Council', believes her namesake district could be the next big thing for the LGBTQ+ community.

A second queer-friendly bar will soon open in Margate and with drag artists and pride entrepreneurs on the rise in the seaside town, she believes it is now the unofficial "queer capital of Kent".

Janet District Council shares the inspiration behind her drag persona

Sitting backstage at the Punk and Plume cabaret show at Folkestone's Tower Theatre, Janet District Council was preparing for a sell out performance.

She's got eyeshadow brighter than the beach huts at Botany Bay and shoulder pads larger than life and is not only taking Thanet by storm, but she has taken its name too.

With a growing fan base and a thirst for new drag acts following the success of Kent queens River Medway and Krystal Versace in the latest series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Janet (aka Bob Chicalors) is involved in multiple projects that aim to enable young LGBTQ+ people to feel comfortable within themselves.

She explained how by putting on shows in venues that aren't necessarily safe spaces, they can reach wider audiences.

She said: "Unofficially, I think Margate is the queer capital of Kent and I love that. It's a very accepting town.

"I've done drag for around eight years in Margate and we'll do shows at Oddfellows or the Bellevue Tavern.

"These kinds of pubs are not drag spaces and they're not necessarily safe spaces for queer people, but by doing shows in those spaces you just break down those boundaries a little bit and enable people."

These shows are now moving along the coastline with performances every month in towns like Dover and Folkestone.

Ironically, the Punk and Plume cabaret hosted by Dita Garbo is held in the shell of what was once the Garrison Church of St Mark in Shornecliffe but is now regularly a safe space for gender expression, exploration and entertainment.

Janet performing alongside other queer artists at Punk and Plume in Folkestone

The second LGBTQ+ bar and community space in Thanet is set to to open next month.

Previously, Sundowners in Margate was the only safe late night venue for that community in the entire district.

The new bar in Cliftonville, named CAMP, will offer a diverse programme of drag, cabaret, comedy and performance art, giving queer artists more of an opportunity to put their work on stage without fear.

Owners Sophie Brown, Jess Hall, Olivia Lloyd, Jessica du Preez and Derek du Preez said: "We'll be pulling together a programme of diverse talent that aims to reflect the full spectrum of the LGTBQ+ community - kings, queens, trans talent and non-binary finery,"

A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said: “Thanet is home to many different people and a popular destination for many more. We’re fully committed to ensuring that our community is welcoming to all.

“We recognise how important it is to ensure everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, are able to live safe, happy and healthy lives, where they can be themselves without fear of discrimination.

“Our Communities Team supports a number of local organisations and groups that provide safe spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people across Thanet.

"This includes Margate Pride, OUT Margate and the BeYou Project, which offers support for young people via Porchlight, the charity for homeless and vulnerable people in Kent.

“We warmly welcome the addition of new venues in the district that add to our vibrant culture and contribute to the local economy.”

Janet District Council is a new character created by artist Bob Chicalors, but it isn't his first drag name related to the sunny Kent coast.

Bob's former drag persona Tracey Ermine had to be scrapped when the OBE winning artist and inspiration Tracey Emin returned to the town.

Janet explained: "I knew she was coming back to Margate and there couldn't be two Traceys, so she had an unfortunate accident in Walpole Bay and then I didn't have a drag character for a while."

An art exhibition was then staged at the Resort Studio in memory of Tracey Ermine featuring more than 50 dresses and outfits, props, banners, photography and her now widowed stick of rock.

However, the new drag character has been a hit with local drag fans and the name "does a lot of the work".

Bob dreamed up the iconic twist on words when wandering around Margate "gazing at bins" and from that the camp bureaucratic creation was born.

As a bearded drag queen, Janet District Council is heavily inspired by the likes of the late Kenny Everett and has strong comedy roots.

She added: "Growing up I didn't really have Drag Race or any accessible drag icons that I wanted to emulate. Funnily enough I look back now and I see Kenny Everett and my drag is very much that, which was slightly before my time."

Although Janet is not a 'drag mother', she does hope to continue enabling the younger community in Thanet and be that role model for them.

So with the support of both Janet and Thanet District Council, perhaps the next big Brighton-esque town could be brewing on the Kentish coast.