Growing the Kent economy 2016/17

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60 kent.gov.uk/business
and meeting rooms. A strong knowledge
and science base at Discovery Park
provides research and development
facilities for any sized business, in
particular those in life sciences.
Thanet’s location near to two universities
(Canterbury Christ Church and University
of Kent), means an estimated 30,000
students are attracted to East Kent
annually. This provides organisations
with high calibre candidates for
internships and graduate schemes.
The modern Canterbury Christc Church
satellite campus in Broadstairs attracts
thousands of undergraduates.
With investment and partnerships
delivering successfully across the
district, excellent transport links,
graduate calibre recruits, a broad range
of business facilities, millions of visitors
and a vibrant property market – Thanet
is open for business.
For information on regeneration
initiatives and investment opportunities:
Connectivity and regeneration schemes
have led to a buoyant residential
property market for buyers and investors
with prices locally growing steadily, but
still more competitive than elsewhere in
the South East.
Thanet District Council and Cardy
Construction Ltd are to bring forward
an exclusive apartment development
on the seafront close to Ramsgate
Harbour. Also in the town, J.D. Wether-
spoons Plc is planning a refurbished
Pavilion to become one of their
largest outlets.
And at Westwood, the first phase of a
1,000 unit residential development is
underway by Persimmon and Gleesons,
with a second phase starting soon. At
the Westwood Cross Shopping Centre,
new stores include Outfit, Five Guys and
Café Rouge.
More than three million guests visit
Thanet each year, with tourism adding
£245m to the local economy with
consistent growth in tourist numbers.
The Turner Contemporary experienced
a 25% increase in visitor numbers for its
highly praised Grayson Perry exhibition.
Dreamland Amusement Park opened in
June 2015 with the restored Grade II*
Scenic Railway opening later in the year,
leading to unanimous praise for its
inspired regeneration and creation of
200 jobs. It was funded by the Heritage
Lottery Fund, Department of Culture,
Media and Sport’s Sea Change pro-
gramme and Thanet District Council.
It has kick-started investment in the
area with the next proposals being to
reinstate the Dreamland cinema to its
1930s Art Deco glory.
Also in Margate, The Sea Bathing
Hospital, now with an east wing
extension, has a substantial number
of residential units occupied. Nearby is
the Beach Houses development of 11
contemporary beach fronted homes
by Guy Holloway Architects.
The Council is committed to driving
growth by promoting investment,
skills and employment opportunities
to create a sustainable economy.
The Corporate and Local Plans will set
out policies and proposals to guide
decisions and investment for develop-
ment and regeneration. Working with
European partners is key to encouraging
further location of sustainable energy
businesses into the area.
With commercial office rents as much
as 80% lower than London and 60%
lower than the South East, Thanet is
a prime location for start-ups. Kent
Innovation Centre provides firms with
flexible office space, conference facilities
CGI of St James Development, Dover