A Kent town once blighted by crime and boarded-up shops is fighting back through food, art and culture.

Gerry Warren visits Ramsgate's historic Harbour Street to see how new businesses are transforming it into one of the county's most vibrant locations...

Ramsgate's Royal Harbour is the jewel on the south coast with a seafront parade which has blossomed with new restaurants, cafes, and shops.

But for many years, the same could not have been said about the main road, just yards away, which leads down to the sea from the town centre.

Harbour Street has long been a sorry, depressing sight with empty premises and neglected, dilapidated buildings - completely at odds with the bustling Regency seafront, which also boasts Britain's biggest Wetherspoons.

But that is changing and it is fast becoming one of the county's most vibrant locations, with the help of exciting business launches and huge new investment, including government heritage grants which are transforming the area.

The number of builders' vehicles jamming the pedestrianised street confirms the activity as contractors set about converting upper floors into flats while refurbishing retail space on the ground floors.

And it can't come a moment too soon for a town which just a few months ago was hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, including violent crime.

A spate of late night brawls and assaults even sparked a petition in January demanding action - including a review of late night drinking licenses.

But the town Mayor, Cllr Raushan Ara believes Ramsgate is no worse than any other town and claims the latest statistics show crime is now falling.

Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr Raushan Ara discusses how Harbour Street is on the up

She is passionate about improving its reputation and knows Harbour Street particularly well, having opened her family tandoori restaurant there in 1988.

"I think all town centres have suffered with empty shops and crime but there are definitely some exciting things happening here now," she said.

"In just the last week, I have opened two new businesses and am getting lots of inquiries from people wanting space.

"Our Royal harbour is the only one with such a designation in the country and is magnificent. We need to maximise its potential to attract visitors.

"So it's vital that Harbour Street is attractive and draws people up into the town.

"I am feeling very positive and things are changing so fast that it's almost beyond my belief.

"There is definitely a growing feeling of confidence in the town and especially here in Harbour Street where the emerging theme is food, art and culture.

"For example, we now have Indian, Chinese, Italian, American, Caribbean and Turkish cuisine as well as traditional British fish and chips. I also understand a French restaurant could be opening soon."

Recently Cllr Ara officially opened a new book shop, Book Bodega, and Jamaican restaurant Jah Jah. A new American-style diner, called the T.L.C, is also about to launch.

The major refurbishment of a significant Regency building has also provided six new flats and a ground floor retail space which could become an art studio.

The street also boasts a mini supermarket, and independent butcher's, baker's, hair salon, jewellers, gift shop, ladies fashion store and a pub.

While the gift shop, Nice Things is closing down, that is being replaced by a glass and pottery studio.

Behind the American diner venture is Will Mitchell and his partner, who started up a gourmet burger delivery service during the pandemic.

It was such a success that they decided to look for a premises to open a restaurant and say they chose Harbour Street because of its up and coming reputation.

"I used to live in the street so know it well and it was horrible in the past," he said.

"But that is changing and the place is getting a real vibrancy and a reputation for food with lots of restaurant openings.

"So we have invested heavily and are very excited about it and will be opening on July 1, serving New York-style burgers, ribs, chicken, smoked meats and waffles and pancakes."

Another planned opening is the Modern Boulangerie Cafe and Deli which is the brainchild of entrepreneur George Bellamy-Adams who already runs a bakery in Westcliff Road in the town.

But he has much more ambitious plans for the former indoor market, known as Celandine Hall, he has acquired a lease for in Harbour Street.

The building is owned by sisters Bella Landen and Sophie Hubble, who secured a capital grant via the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme to restore its fine historic architecture and convert the internal building from disused retail area into a vibrant space.

The launch date is some way off yet but George's vision is to offer customers the very best experience, whether just having a cream tea or enjoying an intimate wedding reception. And he has a Michelin-starred pastry chef on board to help make it happen.

"People used to give Harbour Street a wide berth but it has so much potential which is now being realised," he said.

"We think it's a fantastic location and its exciting to see so many independent new businesses opening up."

George is launching his business with the help of Kickstarter contributions which will offer benefits to supporters.

Meanwhile, Jah Jah, which serves Caribbean-inspired food, is already getting five-star reviews.

It was launched just a month ago by business partners Thomas Sebhat and Alex Oprea.

Their Ethiopian and Romanian backgrounds might not seem the right recipe for a Jamaican restaurant but Thomas explains there is a strong Rastafarian heritage in Ethiopia.

They have gutted the former derelict cafe and transformed into into a Caribbean-themed yellow and green 'beach shack', doing all the work themselves.

Bob Marley's reggae music suitably sets the mood when I visit the pair to talk about their venture.

"It's been a lot of hard work but we've been very pleased with the response and business has been very good," says Alex.

A glance at the menu reveals Jamaican dishes like jerk, chicken, grilled fish and curried goat which are all prepared and cooked in the restaurant's open kitchen.

"We think it is re-assuring for people to see what's going on in the kitchen and with their orders," says Thomas.

Also newly-opened this month is Book Bodega - launched by Sapphire Bates and her partner Nicholas Turner.

They too had to gut a dilapidated building to create a warm and inviting space for bookworms, who can even enjoy a coffee and croissant while browsing.

"We are both book fans and had an idea for a shop when this space came up in Harbour Street.

"We could see it was a potentially lovely street with so much going on that we snapped it up."

The pair say their own reading habits are history and the "weird and wonderful" which is reflected in the eclectic mix of books they sell.

"We've had an amazing response to the opening which is really encouraging," added Sapphire.

"There's no doubt that Harbour Street is becoming an exciting and engaging place to visit."

The town Mayor's optimism for the street is shared by the chairman of the Ramsgate Society, John Walker.

"I represent the society's on the high street heritage action zone and we have a grant to try and encourage building owners to improve their shops fronts," he said.

He admits Harbour Street has been down in the dumps for years and a regular topic of discussion in the society.

"It's important it is attractive and that is now happening although I don't think the gates the council has erected is encouraging people to venture up there from the harbour.

"But a good thing is the plans to improve the junction which will help.

"We are hoping that these new businesses and the general improvements to the street scene will help draw people up into the town.

"And we have more grants to help make things happen. It's the niche traders which gives a place character and what people like."