Margate, Marine Sands c.1950

Photo ref: M31307

More about this scene

Margate received its Charter of Incorporation in 1857. Communal action and a progressive Town Council aided development with the building of promenades, bandstands, concert halls and the provision of a good water supply and drainage. The resort spread eastwards into Cliftonville, and later westwards to take over Westgate and Birchington. The boarding houses of Margate became the private guest houses and hotels of Cliftonville; dinner was served in the evening and not midday, and amateur landladies with old-fashioned rules were replaced by professionally trained staff. Frith's Margate has now almost disappeared. There has been a partial rejection of the traditional bucket and spade family fortnight by the sea. With competition from continental holidays in sunnier climates and the mobility brought by package tours and private car ownership, visitors are demanding a higher standard of amenity and more sophisticated entertainment. The town's population is also increasing with a larger number of permanent residents enjoying their memories and pensions in their retirement years by the sea.

An extract from Margate Town and City Memories.