Polly has written to the Reform Leader of Kent County Council demanding a rethink on plans for a fire sale of the Ramsgate Youth Centre, which would see youth charity Pie Factor Music evicted from the site and the building flogged off to developers.
Polly, who has been campaigning against the sale for months, said in her letter:
Dear Councillor Kemkaran,
Re: Sale of the Ramsgate Youth Centre and eviction of Pie Factory Music
Following our recent correspondence about cuts to services in Thanet being overseen by your council, I am writing to raise further urgent concerns over Kent County Council’s handling of the proposed disposal of land at the Ramsgate Youth Centre site. In particular, the news that the site may be prepared for auction.
As you know, Pie Factory Music has delivered vital youth services in Ramsgate under extremely difficult circumstances, particularly following years of austerity-driven cuts to youth provision across Kent. Their work has been essential in supporting vulnerable young people in one of the most deprived parts of our county.
Despite this, Pie Factory’s fair and reasonable offer to purchase the site was rejected — even though the building has been designated an Asset of Community Value by Thanet District Council. This puts the future of the youth services provided by Pie Factory Music at risk and suggests that short-term financial return is being prioritised over long-term social benefit.
I understand that KCC has paused auction activity for three months and encouraged Pie Factory to refine its proposal. This is welcome. However, clarity is urgently needed.
I am asking you to offer Pie Factory Music as a minimum a five-year lease on the Ramsgate Youth Centre site — a solution that has already been offered by the Council in the case of the Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs. This would provide vital stability for Pie Factory, while giving time for a long-term plan to be developed and would be a fair and proportionate response.
I am therefore seeking two key assurances from you directly:
1. That any proposed auction will be fully halted and not reinstated following the temporary pause — giving Pie Factory Music the conditions they need to secure the site and continue their vital work.
2. That Kent County Council will formally commit to working with Pie Factory Music on securing a five-year lease, under terms comparable to those already granted to the Sarah Thorne theatre.
As I have said before, Reform in Kent has an opportunity to show that you are different from the Conservative council that came before you — by halting these damaging cuts and backing a community organisation that delivers exceptional value to vulnerable young people and the wider area. I understand that your Reform UK colleague, Cllr Terry Mole, is also working to save Pie Factory and I would urge you, if you are not willing to listen to me, to listen to him.
Kind regards
Polly Billington MP