Margate Meltdown - Thanet Council warns riders not to attend unofficial events

[The Spin Doctor]

According to a story in the Isle of Thanet news, the local council are telling riders not to take part in any unofficial Meltdown rides to Margate and even suggesting that as a "last resort", enforcement action could be taken against riders who turn up.

The Ace Cafe, organisers of the official Ace Cafe Margate Meltdown ride which was scheduled for June 2 cancelled the event a few days ago, after paperwork for road closures was not submitted in time.

However, many riders were quick to post on social media saying they would still head to the Kent seaside town, just as they did in 2021 when the official event was also cancelled, this time due to COVID.

But it seems Thanet council have been contacting organisers or unofficial rides to say don't come to Margate and even saying that enforcement action could be taken against riders who turn up.

The official explanation is that “An unofficial event, which could see potentially hundreds of motorbikes arrive in the area, without the necessary road closures, would mean that steps are not in place to appropriately manage public safety.

“The council is encouraging regulars of the event not to coordinate an unofficial gathering. Doing so could have a significant impact on residents, road users and visitors in the area especially without the level of support in place to ensure it operates safely.

“We anticipate that those who usually attend and do so in a respectful and safe manner will understand the potential risks. We would only expect to have to take enforcement action as a last resort, if public safety were being compromised.

“We look forward to welcoming the Margate Meltdown back in 2023.”

[Yorick]

That's the sort of thing (and people) I'd pay money to avoid.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'm with Yorick on avoiding it, Margate is a bit of a last resort, but I do think a council deciding to stop people visiting a town based on their mode of transport is weird, and very non British, it's the kind of stupid rules you'd expect in Germany.

[The Spin Doctor]

I wouldn't be surprised that it's a clash of events with jubilee celebrations, and maybe with the areas the bikes normally park being kept open for street parties and other activities. According to Thanet District Council, there have been almost 40 applications to close residential streets to host a party over the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

If riders try to park where they normally do, I suspect they'll find themselves being invited to move on. That's likely the reason the Ace couldn't sort out their own parking.

And yes, I wouldn't do it either.

[The Spin Doctor]

Blimey... the good and the righteous on ArseBook are frothing at the mouth about being told to go somewhere other than Margate for a ride!

[Dodgy69]

I've never been, what's it like.

[Mussels]

I've never been, what's it like.

Margate?
I last went when I was a binge drinking teenager, it is most suited to binge drinking teenagers.

[The Spin Doctor]

Tracey Emin moved there in about 2016. That should tell you all you need to know.

[Count Steer]

Tracey Emin moved there in about 2016. That should tell you all you need to know.

She was brought up there and spent most of her teens in the place to be fair.

Margate is trying to reinvent itself with the Turner Contemporary art gallery etc and there's quite a lot of history wrapped up in the place. Good luck to 'em I say, the sooner some of the English coastal resorts raise themselves out of the dismal holes they've become the better.

[Skub]

It isn't the destination I'd object to,as I've never been to Margate. It would be rolling along in a traffic jam of your own making that I'd be at pains to avoid.

[The Spin Doctor]

Tracey Emin moved there in about 2016. That should tell you all you need to know.

She was brought up there and spent most of her teens in the place to be fair.

Margate is trying to reinvent itself with the Turner Contemporary art gallery etc and there's quite a lot of history wrapped up in the place. Good luck to 'em I say, the sooner some of the English coastal resorts raise themselves out of the dismal holes they've become the better.

I don't object to the need to improve Margate - it was a pretty dismal hole in the 70s when I was growing up in Kent.

But I do object to the way towns like this suddenly become an arty destination and proper shops get turned over into shishi cafes and boutiques and send the price of housing through the roof.

[Count Steer]

Tracey Emin moved there in about 2016. That should tell you all you need to know.

She was brought up there and spent most of her teens in the place to be fair.

Margate is trying to reinvent itself with the Turner Contemporary art gallery etc and there's quite a lot of history wrapped up in the place. Good luck to 'em I say, the sooner some of the English coastal resorts raise themselves out of the dismal holes they've become the better.

I don't object to the need to improve Margate - it was a pretty dismal hole in the 70s when I was growing up in Kent.

But I do object to the way towns like this suddenly become an arty destination and proper shops get turned over into shishi cafes and boutiques and send the price of housing through the roof.

It's the standard regeneration model or 'Hebden Bridge effect'. Most artists/artisans don't make much money so they move into cheap places that others don't want. What money they do make they spend on fancy coffee and sourdough bread, so that follows. Pretty soon, people start thinking 'Oh, this place isn't bad and it's not too expensive so the doer-uppers move in...etc'.

Artists/artisans then can't afford to buy there so they move on to the next grim area.

These places don't need Mary Portas, just a few potters, milliners, water-colourists and collage makers. Hey presto, it's cortados and avo toast all round.

[Gregor]

I've never been, what's it like.

A bit nicer now than it was ten years ago.

[Dodgy69]

Modern day Britain I'm afraid. They may tidy up the prom, but go back one street and there a proper shithole. Plenty more like that.

[Horse]

go back one street and there a proper shithole. Plenty more like that.

A mate lives in Cleethorpes.

Even the locals call it Britain's Last Resort.

[Mussels]

Modern day Britain I'm afraid. They may tidy up the prom, but go back one street and there a proper shithole. Plenty more like that.

The photo might be a bit unfair. The ride is a listed building so there's not a lot that can be done apart from spending loads to keep it looking the same.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've never been, what's it like.

A bit nicer now than it was ten years ago.

When I went to Margate that was open

[Count Steer]

Modern day Britain I'm afraid. They may tidy up the prom, but go back one street and there a proper shithole. Plenty more like that.

The photo might be a bit unfair. The ride is a listed building so there's not a lot that can be done apart from spending loads to keep it looking the same.

I think Gregor's point was that it was a mess 10 years ago. A quick Google suggests it's very different now.