The Old Wine Warehouse in Charlotte Court, Ramsgate is being revitalised by not-for-profit Heritage Lab to create a landmark of enterprise, arts and entertainment in East Kent supporting local talent.
Originally built for the storage of wine by local wine merchants Page & Sons, the Old Wine Warehouse has been repurposed several times during its lifetime – from a martial arts centre to a Michelin-Guide-recommended restaurant and bar.
Now, the building is set to become a creative, enterprise and entertainment hub, including a new coworking studio, Ramsgate Works.
Purchased by Heritage Lab Community Interest Company in 2023, building and fit-out work has begun and is scheduled to be completed by spring 2025.
The ground floor will be a café/restaurant with an outdoor seating area in Charlotte Court; the first floor a coworking studio called Ramsgate Works, with both permanent and hotdesking spaces; and the basement a bar and intimate performance venue.
This is the first bricks-and-mortar project by Heritage Lab, which was founded to revitalise historic buildings and community assets to create work and community space, and employment in Ramsgate.
The £600,000 project is funded through a combination of grants and loans from Kent County Council, Kent Community Foundation and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Heritage Lab CIC CEO Rob Kenyon said: “Repurposing old buildings is often not straightforward and that has been the case on this project.
“A number of technical complications have delayed us a little, but we’re delighted to have building work underway at the Old Wine Warehouse and are looking forward to bringing this heritage asset back into use for the benefit of the people of Ramsgate.”
Building works include removing existing fittings, dividing the space into three units, upgrading fire safety, removing one of the staircases, and installing new bathrooms, electrics, plumbing, ventilation and a new heating system using air source heat pumps and electric radiators.
The principal designer and architects are the Ramsgate-based del Renzio & del Renzio and the principal contractor is Coastal Construction SE Ltd.
Heritage Lab is in the process of securing a tenant and operator for the ground-floor restaurant.
The first-floor coworking studio is being launched with a new name, Ramsgate Works, and design by Ramsgate-based Myles Lucas Studio.
Myles Lucas said: “The design combines the old with the new, inspired by the building’s Victorian heritage and its transformation into a workplace for creativity and innovation, and has colours based on the old Page and Sons’ tile sign on the front of the building.”
Consulting with prospective members and the wider public, Heritage Lab has been codesigning the space, gathering information on who the cowork space will appeal to, how they will use it, and ideas and feedback on layout and facilities.
These will include both permanent and hotdesking spaces, acoustic pods for calls, a breakout area and high-speed internet.
