MARGATE OLD TOWN TO GREET THE QUEEN

Margate Old Town and the Turner Contemporary are to be included on the route that The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will be taking on their historic visit to Margate on Friday 11 November.

This exciting visit will highlight the remarkable regeneration that Margate is undergoing following the opening of the Turner Contemporary. The vibrant Old Town has recently benefited from many new businesses taking up residence, including several new creative businesses that have opened up.  

Their Royal Highnesses will enter the town via Cecil Street and will drive by the Thanet District Council main offices before arriving in the Old Town at approximately 11.15am. There will be a short walkabout, and introductions with local people and volunteers, before heading off to the Turner Contemporary gallery.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Bob Bayford, said: "I am both delighted and honoured that Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will be visiting Margate. The Queen last visited the town in 1993 and so this is a great opportunity to show the nation the regeneration that the town is undergoing. This has been a year of achievements marked by the opening of the Turner Contemporary and this visit celebrates the culmination of many years of hard work by Thanet District Council, its partners, local residents and businesses. As a community we should be very proud that Her Majesty is joining us to see this transformation and I hope that Thanet residents will make the Royal party very welcome."

Everyone is welcome to come along to Margate, support the town and join in with the celebrations on this momentous occasion. Crowds are asked to observe the Armistice Day two minutes silence, the start of which will be signalled by the RNLI who will release the traditional maroon at 11.00am. The Armistice observation this year will take place in the Market Place, rather than at Regal Walk.

Road closures on Friday 11 November will be as follows and will be in effect from 6.30am to 2.00pm:

-          Fort Road from the junction with Fort Hill to the junction with King Street.

-          King Street from the junction with The Parade to the junction with Hawley Street.

-          Broad Street from the junction with King Street to the junction with Love Lane.

-          Love Lane from the junction with Broad Street to the junction with Hawley Street.

-          Duke Street from the junction with The Parade for the entire length.

-          Market Place paved area either side of the Old Town Hall.

-          Market Street from the junction with the High Street to the junction with Market Place.

-          The section of Market Place that runs between Market Street and Lombard Street.

-          Lombard Street from the junction with Market Place to the junction with Hawley Street.

All parking bays in these roads, the disabled parking bays outside Turner Contemporary and Market Street car park will all be suspended from Thursday 10 November at 5.00pm until 2.00pm on Friday 11 November.

The nearest alternative car parks for those travelling to Margate on the day will be at College Walk, Trinity Square, Mill Lane and Dreamland. Wherever possible, the council is encouraging people to use public transport, such as the Loop bus service or train services, to get to Margate.