Hollywood stars and New York hipsters flock to our British seaside town… but we’re overpriced – it’s not fair

RESIDENTS of a coastal town have told how expensive they are as Hollywood directors and New York hipsters flock to their town.

Margate, Kent has recently been featured on a number of ‘cool’ lists including being named one of Britain’s trendiest neighborhoods by Time Out.

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And the city’s reputation for sandy beaches and classic architecture has been boosted by the new Sam Mendes film Empire of Light, starring Olivia Colman.

The recent excitement around the city has attracted artists from all over the world.

World famous Tracey Emin moved back to the coastal center in 2016 after growing up there.

Meanwhile, Pete Doherty has spent much of his musical career in Margate – he even opened a studio and hotel in the town.

Robert Diament, director of the Carl Freedman Gallery alongside actor Russel Tovey, told the Guardian that Margate was going “international”.

He added, “Artists are moving here from Brooklyn.”

Some have even gone so far as to call it Britain’s “Ibiza,” according to Tatler.

But now locals are divided over the city’s new “hipster” status.

John Horler, 36, moved to Margate from south London eight years ago and works part-time at the city’s skateboard shop, Skatepark.

He said: “Over the years that I’ve been here I’ve really seen how it’s changed.

“There’s a lot more opportunity now and there’s a really strong, thriving community.

“It can be a little quiet in the winter, but it really gets going in the summer.

“It will definitely be international. I don’t know that many Americans, but a lot of artists are drawn to the city.

“The galleries are incredible and there is so much to do here.

“When the skate park is built, which is expected next year, it will bring even more people down.

“I would definitely recommend artists and people from all over the world who are looking for a place where they can be more creative to come here.”

Simon Hutchinson is co-owner of the Big Shot cafe in the Old Town.

He moved to Margate from nearby Canterbury three years ago and is also enthusiastic about developments in the town.

The 35-year-old said: “I think it’s an amazing city and there’s been a lot of progress in recent years.

“When I was younger, Margate had a pretty bad reputation and was unattractive even to local residents.

“But there’s so much going on now. The food in this city is incredible as there is such a wide range of quality restaurants.

“We’ve been open for a little over a year now and seem to be doing well. It’s hard to tell at this point what has to do with the economy and the Covid hangover, but Margate definitely appears to be a town on the up.

“It doesn’t surprise me that more and more people are coming to the city, even Americans.”

But not all residents have such a positive attitude towards the city.

Robyn Evans, who was born and raised in Margate, wasn’t so sure the recent hype was justified.

The 27-year-old special needs teaching assistant said: “We hear all these things about Margate being the place to grow but for locals it’s not the reality.

“Having the filming here was really cool and we loved the lights, but nothing permanent stayed. Not keeping the lights was a bad decision.

“Rents are becoming too expensive and local people are being driven out of the city. Most accommodations are bought and converted into AirBNBs. That’s not sustainable at all.

“It’s all well and good that more Londoners and artists are coming here, but if they don’t spend their money locally then it doesn’t really do us much good.”

Ben Olive, 30, agreed that Margate locals rarely see the benefit of artists making it their new home.

The Home Office official said: “It is true that we have seen an increase in investment in some parts of the old town, but most of the city has been actively declining lately – particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

“Most of the shops in the center are closed and the money just doesn’t stay in the city. The locals don’t really have any of it.

“It was great that Empire of Light was filmed here, but nothing stayed. The council didn’t even keep the lights that were donated to it.”

Ryan Smith, who works at the Margate Book Shop, could see both sides of the argument.

The Scottish writer and musician moved to the city from London three years ago after growing tired of the hustle and bustle of city life.

The 38-year-old said the city offered him and his partner a much better standard of living.

But he added that he sympathizes with locals who feel the money isn’t staying in town.

He said: “I love it here. There’s such a sense of community and the city has such a unique character that it’s no surprise international artists are drawn to it.

“For people who are tired of city life, it offers a very different experience. There’s a lot of culture here with the galleries and live music scene and it’s a beautiful area.

“It’s a very attractive place for artists and I can understand why more and more people are coming here…even though it happened way before the new Sam Mendes film.

“I definitely understand why the locals get a bit upset when some people move in. A lot of people just buy houses in the city but don’t spend any of their money here and price ordinary people out.

“But when I used to run a local pub there were so many regulars who would say the town has changed in the last ten years thanks to the people who have come in.

“If you come here, you have to make a real effort to get involved in the local community and contribute to the city’s economy.

“I’m hopeful for the future of the city because I think it has a wonderful spirit that should protect it from the effects of gentrification.”