Help for town's trade after fire

Help for town's trade after fire

Nobody was hurt in the fire but the arcade was destroyed

Steps are being taken to ensure the Margate seafront fire does not affect the town's summer season.

A huge fire swept through two amusement arcades on 4 April destroying a four storey-building.

The incident was seen as a major blow for the resort just before the season starts.

Now ideas have been put forward for the short-term and long-term future of the site by Thanet Council and Margate Town Partnership.

Open space

The two bodies met on Tuesday and agreed interim measures were needed to minimise the visual impact on the seafront.

Among the suggestions were to make an open space on the seafront possible with cafes and a garden.

Demolition work started on the site on Wednesday and the council said this was the first step to get the site back into use temporarily for the summer season.

Margate Town Partnership chairman Paul Kirkland said: "It is encouraging that, from this meeting, everyone is intending to take immediate action for the coming season and the fire also gives us an opportunity to look at the possibilities for the longer term future of the seafront."