A community-driven proposal, rooted in a petition by local residents, aims to develop the Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground site to meet genuine local needs. The proposed £10.7 million project, named the Jackey Bakers Hub, is designed to tackle local health inequalities and social challenges through inclusive activity, sport, health services, and youth outreach.
The facility is proposed to include a modern pavilion with a community room and café, changing rooms, a Changing Places toilet and changing facility, an inclusive play area, three floodlit 3G artificial pitches, upgraded grass pitches, and covered tennis and padel courts, alongside an athletics track. The hub is projected to open in November 2028, pending approvals, planning consent, and funding.
Tamara Campbell, representing the Community Stakeholder Advisory Group, Social Enterprise Kent and Thanet Girls Can, stated, “The Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground has long been a vital open space for Ramsgate, but its outdated facilities have held back its potential for far too long. This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the site into a modern, welcoming destination that every resident can be proud of.”
The project has established two dedicated bodies: the Strategic Steering Group and the Community Stakeholder Advisory Group. Local partners, community organisations, sports clubs, and residents have collaborated on key partnership proposals. These include an Inclusion Charter and a Women and Girls Charter, promoting equal access, safeguarding, and accessible facilities, including a Changing Places toilet, with a year-round schedule of sports and social sessions.
In collaboration with the Thanet Health Alliance, Kent County Council Public Health, and local health teams, the pavilion will offer a Health and Wellbeing Hub. This space will provide a dedicated area for NHS drop-in health checks, mental health support, social groups, and mobility sessions for older residents, aiming to address health inequalities.
Partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions and local youth providers are also laying the groundwork for on-site job clubs, 16–25 youth skills training, and evening youth programmes.
Detailed design work has been completed, outlining sports infrastructure such as three floodlit 3G artificial pitches, upgraded grass pitches, multi-use courts for tennis and padel, and athletics track access. Community and play facilities include the modern pavilion, a community room, café, Changing Places toilet, inclusive changing facility, and Thanet’s flagship inclusive and accessible children’s play area.
Tamara Campbell added, “What makes this project so special is that it is truly community-driven. ... this hub is being built by Thanet, for Thanet. It isn’t just about football or tennis; it’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where people of all ages can improve their physical and mental health, meet friends, learn new skills, walk their dogs or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.”
Campbell encouraged local residents to review the plans and attend an upcoming community drop-in session to share their views. A resident engagement session will be held at the Northwood Club in Ramsgate at 7pm on Thursday 12 November, prior to the submission of a full planning application.
“"As we move into this crucial decision-making phase, I strongly encourage local residents to look through the plans, attend our upcoming community drop-in and share their views on how this venue can best serve our area for decades to come."
