by Peter Barnett

pbarnett@thekmgroup.co.uk

Talk Margate up! Stop dragging it down and help support the whole area's quest for sustainable regeneration.

That's the passionate plea from town mayor Cllr Mick Tomlinson who is appealing to residents to "be positive and be proud" as the UK's first seabathing resort enters one of the most crucial phases in its colourful history.

He said: "We should be proud of our history, heritage and what could be a fantastic new dawn for the town as a hub for the arts and culture."

His comments follow high profile press articles following a survey by The Local Data Company that shows Margate has the highest number of empty shops - 37 per cent - in the UK.

It also comes just days after Shop owner Julie Clifton hit back at Margate criticism in the national press.

But Kent business expert Trevor Sturgess, who is editor of the KMG's monthly Kent Business, explained: "We have just been through a deep recession. And seaside towns across the land have suffered retail decline.

But to look at vacant shop statistics in isolation from other developments misses the point.

"Turner Contemporary opens next month. If it only achieves a smidgin of the economic impact of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, it will have succeeded. If, as expected, it attracts art buffs from around the world, the town will start to attract the sort of arty-crafty shops that cluster around successful cultural institutions.

"There is also talk of a Lottery grant helping the overdue restoration of one of Kent's finest buildings - The Winter Gardens. The project deserves urgency. And Dreamland is about to become a roller-coaster heritage site.

"This unique combination of entertainment and enlightenment, coupled with a facelift for seafront properties and the unique vistas so beloved of Joseph Mallord William Turner, surely add up to a regeneration blockbuster."

Some 15 business have opened recently ahead of Turner and this trend is likely to continue.

Thanet council leader Bob Bayford added: "Having observed the town over the last year, this survey doesn't reflect the changes we've been seeing in Margate, with many new businesses opening, despite the recession.

"We want people to come and see for themselves what Margate; the original seaside, really has to offer."

Andy Somers, principal of the town's Hartsdown Technology College, said: "Our students love Margate and are very proud of their town. I wish people would talk it up instead of sniping at it.

"Everyone who is involved in the regeneration of this historic resort knows its problems and they are being addressed with as much speed and purpose as possible. Negative publicity does not help what so many people are trying very hard to achieve.

"Could the Government's Big Society be what Margate needs, with groups working together to provide services at a local level.

"The old town area is turning around with fabulous shops, galleries and venues. Our college is playing its part by taking part in a range of events such as the winter parade to help bring life back to the area - and the response from people has been very positive. Residents and businesses want Margate to succeed.

"One solution could be to really encourage people to shop in the town - offer traders a peppercorn rent for a period while they get established and give shoppers free parking."

• The March edition of Kent Business is available with paid for KMG publications this week with a comprehensive round up of business news and views from around the county.