A survey conducted by the CRA between December 2012 and February 2013 provided insight into Margate residents’ preferences for the development of Margate Town Centre. The survey, which received over 160 responses, aimed to capture the type of shops, restaurants and amenities residents would like to see in the town centre, as well as asking about housing options.
Retail preferences: Residents expressed a strong preference for clothing stores, with 49 of respondents saying they would like to see more offerings in this category. Other popular options included small retailers (29 responses), personal services (19 responses), and discount stores (16 responses). Additionally, there was notable interest in natural food stores and restaurants, each of which received 16 responses. Specialty stores, department stores, and movie theaters were also among the desired additions.
Dining options: When it comes to dining, residents showed a clear preference for well-known chain restaurants. Red Lobster topped the list with 16 responses, closely followed by Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse and Italian restaurants with 14 responses each. Starbucks, TGI Fridays and Olive Garden were also popular options, reflecting a desire for a mix of casual and fine dining options.
Entertainment and events: The survey found a strong desire for entertainment options in the city centre. Concerts were the most requested event, with 49 respondents expressing interest. Other popular options included festivals (21 responses), films (19 responses) and arts festivals (17 responses). Live theatre and craft festivals were also mentioned, highlighting the community’s interest in cultural events.
Public institutions: In terms of public amenities, a significant number of respondents (82) expressed a desire for a Green Market, followed by fountains (60 responses) and a bandshell (49 responses). There was also interest in park/green spaces, walkways and benches, reflecting a desire for the city centre to include areas for relaxation and community gatherings.
Architectural vision
Residents were also asked about their preferences for the architectural style of the city center. Modern and Spanish-Mediterranean styles were the most popular, with 16 and 15 responses respectively. Other suggestions included Old Florida/Key West and Art Deco styles, suggesting a preference for a mix of contemporary and traditional design.
Accommodation options
In 2012/13, 66.7% of respondents did not want apartments in the city center. What do you think now?
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