RESIDENTS of a picturesque seaside town say it is being ruined by a once-iconic attraction that has become a "heartbreaking" eyesore.
Locals of Margate, Kent, say that something needs to be done about the Winter Gardens, which was a popular music venue but has now fallen into ruin.
In its heyday, the Winter Gardens was home to some of the biggest names in entertainment, with The Beatles drawing huge crowds there ins the '60s.
Today, though, it sits empty and boarded up, surrounded by heavily rusted railings.
It was finally closed down last August despite a community campaign to keep it open after major losses during the pandemic.
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Margate resident Guy William-Addington told Kent Online that it is "frankly heartbreaking" that the 123-year-old building has ended up in its current state.
He said: "It would be amazing to have such a strong asset to the community up and running, showing all sorts of great performances and events.
"It's known all over the country - all sorts of famous people have used it.
"It's just a real shame that we won’t see anything coming back in the near future."
Local musician Andy Sheridan added that the closure has "left a massive gap" in the county's music scene.
People are now keen for the building to be repurposed to allow it to reopen sustainably.
A spokesperson for Thanet District Council said that the authority is considering surveyors reports on the site to secure its "long-term, viable future".
They added: "The goal is to attract investment proposals from organisations that have the experience and expertise needed to make the venue a successful leisure proposition for Thanet.
"The agency will be required to create a detailed marketing information pack and launch a campaign designed to secure interest and proposals for the future use of the Winter Gardens from serious investors."
It comes after another group of residents slammed their newbuild homes after paying £15,000 for a special feature but ending up with an awful eyesore instead.
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Meanwhile, newbuilds were the subject of complaints from the people of a seaside town, saying that the ugly structures ruin the area.
