The Old Wine Warehouse
Another stunning building in Ramsgate will soon become a unique place for business, pleasure, creativity or just simply somewhere to relax with friends or family over a cup of coffee, drink or food.
- Location: Ramsgate
The Old Wine Warehouse will transform into a new creative workspace, cafe/restaurant and iconic speakeasy & events venue.
An exciting venue brimming with ideas and opportunities for everyone with an enterprising idea. This will be a landmark for ideas, innovation and cultural development; like no other in Ramsgate.
The heritage of the building has been retained to bring it one step closer to being restored back to its original period while incorporating a contemporary feel.
What we plan to do with the building
Abandoned for almost 10 years, the building is currently split over three levels, we plan to keep to this and create the following spaces: a creative co-working space called Thrive, restaurant/cafe and performance venue and bar.
The ground floor will be a bustling restaurant and cafe nestled within the tranquil haven that is Charlotte Court. With its relaxed ambience, guests will be able to enjoy wonderful food and drink whilst overlooking the communal courtyard garden.
The basement will become a bar and iconic speakeasy venue and sophisticated live entertainment destination.
Ideas need a place to grow. On the second floor, we will open ‘Thrive’: a hub of creativity, community and innovation with diverse members that make our community unique. A space for anyone with a good idea and the drive to make it happen. You can expect opportunities to network, collaborate and showcase your work. With regular events and performances from creatives from all disciplines, we will host mixers with entrepreneurs, freelancers and social enterprises that support local talent alongside other larger companies. Our aim is to build prosperity to support local talent.
Thrive: the Co-working Space
The coworking areas will be open plan offering a lot of flexibility for individuals and teams. When you become a member you gain access to use of our members meeting room, super-fast WiFi, professional mailing address, modern furnishings, extended opening hours, exclusive discounts, access to our speakeasy events and more. You’ll also be joining a community of really talented people who have so much to offer.
If you are interested in becoming a member please register your interest via our survey here.
Or find out more about how to Thrive here.
“After 3 years of hard work on this project, we are delighted to have bought this fabulous Victorian building in the heart of Ramsgate’s Heritage Action Zone. Thanks to grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund and Kent Community Foundation [KCF] and Loans from Kent County Council and KCF we are delighted to be able to bring this community asset back into life to help create new jobs and support local creatives”.
– Rob Kenyon, Founder and CEO of Heritage Lab CIC
The Old Wine Warehouse History
Located in Charlotte Court, Ramsgate, the building was formerly a Victorian wine warehouse of Page & Sons, which is still in family ownership in Ramsgate after 220 years.
The Old Wine Warehouse spent several years as a martial arts centre before being redeveloped into a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant and bar, called Age & Sons, in 2009.
Full of original features, the building is in need of a little restoration to breathe new life into it – to create a thriving hub in the local community and town centre.
This historic building is the perfect space to create a vibrant multi purpose community and arts venue. There has been a sharp increase in the number of creatives operating out of Ramsgate. It is now identified as a major cultural production hub by Arts Council England and the South East Local Economic Partnership. Two reports published in 2019 & 2020 by Canterbury Christ Church University and Heritage Lab found that the creative sector in Ramsgate had grown by 300% in the past 10 years and was adding £165M to the UK economy. One of the major factors inhibiting further growth was the lack of affordable creative and studio space.
On completion this project will provide support for new jobs, local businesses, creatives and apprenticeships and provide a new, welcoming space whilst celebrating the history of the building.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Old Wine Warehouse co-working studios: Thrive, please register your interest via the survey below.
Those interested in using the space will be invited by Heritage Lab to finalise the design, ensuring it meets the needs of the community. Please take part in our initial survey here.
This project is funded through Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
