Kent coastal town to get new community ‘Hub on the Beach’ bringing café, classes and more

Plans to deliver a new community hub in the heart of a coastal Kent town are now moving forward. Independent charity Romney Marsh Community Hub has confirmed that works are set to begin on its hotly anticipated ‘Hub on the Beach’ .

Taking over the former Mulberry Bar and Restaurant on Coast Drive in New Romney, the centre will offer a range of features and services for the community to make the most of. This includes a new café, plus a range of classes and events.

Sharing the update, the Romney Marsh Community Hub team said: “We are very excited to announce we have signed on the dotted line to start work on our new ‘Hub On The Beach’. This brand-new Hub will include a Café, open to the general public, and hall where we can expand the services we offer to our community including Pilates, Yoga, Seated exercise and so much more.

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“As well as classes we will be holding events and group sessions, all in walking distance to the beach.” The charity has served the town for over 45 years and aims to support and improve the wellbeing of those aged 50 and over in the community.

The charity adds: "We are committed to reducing the impact of loneliness and social isolation felt by so many in our community by providing an accessible and welcoming place for people to take part in events and classes, to meet and socialise." From delivering hot meals to homes, to cleaning and offering transport, the charity works tirelessly to ensure everyone in the town is well looked after.

Romney Marsh Community Hub currently operates from Rolfe Lane and offers a range of services, including health and wellbeing classes, community dinners as well as get-togethers for those living with dementia. The Sunflower Charity Shops, found in Rye and New Romney, also support the work of the organisation.

All money raised from the new Hub on the Beach will go towards the continued work of the charity in supporting New Romney's over 50s. As well as offering a range of services and facilities to the community, the centre will be creating new jobs in the town.

The charity has confirmed that, as works progress to create the site, a number of job vacancies are now live for various roles within the hub, full details of which can be found on Indeed. Romney Marsh Community Hub will also be looking for volunteers to lend a hand with the running of the centre.

Once open, the new hub will operate between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, then 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and finally 8am to 4pm on Sundays. The charity says that this will give “plenty of time to grab a coffee and something to eat”, with further details on what the centre will offer to be confirmed in the run up to the opening.

The news of the new hub has been met with a wave of support online. One local resident remarked: "Sounds fab, what a fab setting and idea, will pop by for a coffee." Another added: "Oh I can't wait to be a regular user of this, either the café or the hall, or both - and it's on a bus route!"

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