How hipsters and popstars wealthy Londoners have transformed Margate

How Margate became the ‘Camden of the South East’: As Lily Allen’s series Dreamland airs, locals reveal how influx of wealthy Londoners sparked house price spiral that transformed small Kent town into ‘hipster’ staycation spot packed with Airbnbs

•  Margate has been thrust into the limelight by Lily’s Allen’s now show on Sky 

It was once the seaside getaway for the working classes – a rough-around-the-edges town on Kent coast with golden sandy beaches. 

But over the past decade, Margate has been transformed into a gentrified hipster hangout, whose recent residents including British indie rock legend and Libertines’ co-frontman, Pete Doherty. 

Even secretive graffiti artist Banksy has made his mark on the town – literally – by spray-painting his latest artwork onto the side of a house in there earlier this year, before it was unceremoniously wrecked by the local council. 

Now the resort, dubbed the Shoreditch-on-Sea or the ‘Camden of the south-east’, is once again being thrust into the limelight by Lily Allen’s comedy Dreamland on Sky. 

However, all the attention has come at a cost, with residents saying the gentrification of the humble Kent town has caused house prices to skyrocket as Londoners snap up second homes and Airbnb rentals continue to open en masse. 

Margate was once the humble coastal getaway for the working classes with its golden sandy beaches and sweeping coastline 

Banksy even painted his latest work in Margate. Dubbed ‘The Valentine’s Day Mascara’, the mural depicts a 1950s-style housewife pushing her abusive husband into a discarded freezer. It appeared on the wall of the property on Valentine’s Day – with Banksy confirming it was his. But it was unceremoniously wrecked by the local council who removed the freezer

Now the town is once again hitting the limelight featuring as the location of Lily Allen’s new show on Sky 

Since 2013, average asking prices in Margate have more than doubled – up a staggering 102 per cent – to £294,209, according to Rightmove, as the town’s popularity booms. 

But it’s leaving local residents facing a frustrating quandary, where they simply cannot afford to buy a home. 

Jessica Scott, 19, has lived in the town all her life and said: ‘The trouble is getting somewhere to live. I still live with my parents because it would be impossible for me to even rent somewhere here.

‘There’s not enough houses. Most get turned into Airbnbs and sit empty most the year. For those who have lived here all their lives it is quite annoying.’

The bakery worker added: ‘There’s still some rough spots but the atmosphere of the place has really changed in recent years.

‘It’s definitely because of the increase in people moving here.’

Kate Eorg’s family has lived in the area for decades and she said there really had been a trend of Londoners moving to the town.

The 81-year-old, who works on the harbour at a gallery displaying her partner’s oil paintings, said: ‘I don’t find any of the Londoners annoying really. It brings a lot of culture to the place and that can only be good for the area.

‘While there has been a lot of good but it has also meant it is now nearly impossible to get any accommodation at a reasonable price long-term.’

Jessica Scott, 19, has lived in the town all her life and she is struggling to find a place to live as property prices have ballooned

Locals in Margate today claim the new Lily Allen (pictured) comedy Dreamland has helped put the seaside town on the map

Kate Eorg, 81, and her family have lived in the area for decades and she said there really had been a trend of Londoners moving to the town

Margate has recently been heavily featured on a number of ‘cool’ lists, including being listed as having one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the UK by Time Out.

And the reputation of the town, with its sandy beaches and classic architecture, has been boosted by the Sam Mendes film, Empire of Light, starring Olivia Colman, and a TV show set in the town featuring Lily Allen.

Residents in the region had mixed feelings about their new neighbours, with many noting the positive effects while lamenting the increase in house prices.

Joseph Sinclair lives in nearby Ramsgate and is in the town daily. The 48-year-old delivery driver said: ‘Margate really has improved over the years, it’s amazing how much it has changed.

‘The town has done a complete 180 and most of it is due to the money that people moving down from the capital are bringing.’ 

Others claim Lily Allen’s new comedy Dreamland is helping to boost the town’s reputation even more.  

The Sky Atlantic series – also starring Freema Agyeman and Frances Barber – explores the secrets, lies, loves and aspirations within a family of four sisters.

In the summer, Margate’s huge beach is packed with visitors who flock to enjoy the town’s bustling atmosphere

Since 2013, average asking prices in Margate have more than doubled – up a staggering 102 per cent – to £294,209, according to Rightmove, as the town’s popularity booms.

Margate (pictured) is the setting for the Sky Atlantic series – also starring Freema Agyeman and Frances Barber – which explores the secrets, lies, loves and aspirations within a family of four sisters

In the past decade, house prices in Margate have more than doubled following an influx of residents from London. Pictured are Jessica Scott, 19, and (right) Kinga Dubis, 23

The six-part show began on April 6 and has helped usher in the visitors to the town on the Kent coast.

Ashley Hollman, 28, assistant manager of Margate Amusements, said: ‘Dreamland has had a brilliant effect as far as visitor numbers are concerned.

‘Since it aired a few weeks ago, we’ve been swarmed. The arcade is regularly packed, especially at weekends.’

He added: ‘The Easter fortnight was our busiest in years and is really good indicator that the summer is going to be busy. So much so, that we’re currently hiring new staff to be able to cope.

‘Dreamland is a big series on Sky, it’s been advertised everywhere, so Margate is getting some great exposure.

‘Lily Allen actually filmed a few scenes close by. But she was pretty quickly mobbed by fans and had to had to dive in to a nearby shop.

‘There’s a buzz about Margate at the moment and Dreamland is helping put the town on the map.’

Margate has been transformed into a hipster haven, say locals. Pictured are Clair Meyrick, 55, (far right) Bev Sage, 60, (second from right) and their colleagues.

Ashley Hollman, 28, assistant manager of Margate Amusements, said: ‘Dreamland has had a brilliant effect as far as visitor numbers are concerned’

Shop worker Shane Fuller, 28, agreed. The father of two said: ‘I’ve watched a bit of Dreamland and was really impressed by it.

‘It’s easy to knock Margate down with the violence we sometimes have and some of the run-down bits of town. But it’s no different to any where else.

‘It was nice to see Margate painted in a positive light in Dreamland, it looked a vibrant, colourful place. Which it is.

‘I think people have come here to have a look round for themselves over the last couple of weeks on the back of the series.

‘It’s definitely been busier around town. And the boom in visitor numbers is helping local businesses get back on their feet after Covid.

‘I’ve been here all my life and things are getting better for the town and shows like Dreamland are giving it that little bit of an extra boost.’

Shop worker Shane Fuller (pictured), 28, agreed. The father of two said: ‘I’ve watched a bit of Dreamland and was really impressed by it’

Elliott Tagg, 37, who works as a freelance video producer moved to the town four years ago from East London.

He said: ‘I watched Dreamland because it was set in Margate and to be honest, I wasn’t particularly taken with it – except for the fact that Margate came out of it looking great.

‘We’ve got the artisan bakers, restaurants with food from all around the world and the little boutique shops.

‘But there’s also a hive of creativity here. In the 1990s it was West London, in the noughties it was the East End and now it’s moved further east still to Margate.

‘The town already had a good arts scene when Tracey Emin moved back here and the Turner Gallery was built.

‘But now it’s becoming a hub for film crews and production. As well as Dreamland, the film Empire of Light was filmed here starring Olivia Colman and Toby Jones. Eastenders has filmed in Margate recently and there was a McDonald’s advert also shot here the other day.

‘It may be an average sized seaside town but it offers a wealth of resources when it comes to filming locations.

‘People are watching shows like Dreamland and are now coming to Margate and seeing for themselves what it’s like.’

Elliott Tagg (pictured), 37, who works as a freelance video producer moved to the town four years ago from East London

One of those visitors is 14-year-old Rosa Keyte, who was visiting Margate with mother Emma, 52 and younger sister Leila, 13, from their home in Hackney, East London.

Rosa said she was keen to visit after watching the first episode of Dreamland and said: ‘I thought it was really entertaining and funny.

‘We have an inset day at school so thought we’d come to the seaside to start the weekend early.

‘We’ve had a really fun day, taking in some of the locations shown in the first episode, like the beach and seafront.

‘I love Lily Allen and thought she was great in Dreamland. Seeing Margate as the setting made me excited to come and visit.’

Mum Emma added: ‘I’m really impressed with the place. We did try and visit Dreamland, the amusement park, but unfortunately it’s closed today.

‘I think shows like Dreamland are going to have a positive effect and encourage Londoners like us to make the 65-mile journey east for the day.’

One of those visitors is 14-year-old Rosa Keyte (right), who was visiting Margate with mum Emma (centre), 52 and younger sister Leila (left), 13, from their home in Hackney, East London

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