RAMSGATE IS FIRST TOWN TO BE ACCREDITED WITH WE LOVE WALKERS AND CYCLISTS STATUS

An Explore Kent initiative designed to welcome walkers and cyclists to villages, towns and cities across the region has been launched with the first accreditation being awarded to Ramsgate.

The town of Ramsgate has worked extremely hard over the past three years in particular to encourage visitors to the area to try out outdoor activities, in particular walking and cycling, by launching guided routes, maps and other initiatives. This is through its Active Ramsgate initiative which is run by Ramsgate Town Council.

Explore Kent has recognised this effort by awarding Ramsgate with the first We Love Walkers and Cyclists status. Not only has Ramsgate Town Council been awarded this status, but local businesses were encouraged to sign up to the initiative by which they could demonstrate they provided facilities for walkers and cyclists, such as bike locks, the facility to fill up water bottles etc.
Some of the businesses that proudly display the sticker in their establishments include the Archive Home Store, Glendevon Guest House, York Street Gallery, Belgian Cafe/bar, the Falstaff Hotel, Albion House Hotel, Topps Café and Nethercourt Touring Park.

Rebekah Smith, Town Promoter for Ramsgate and Chair of the Active Ramsgate Committee said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this status, the first in the whole of Kent! We have worked tirelessly to demonstrate that Ramsgate is a perfect destination for outdoor activities and have invested time and money into providing facilities and routes to encourage visitors to the area. Our Active Ramsgate initiative has been very successful and has brought hundreds of thousands of pounds into the town, and this accreditation is testament to the dedication of not just Ramsgate Town Council, but also the local businesses who have supported our efforts.” 

Steve Law, Explore Kent Partnership Officer said: “Kent has a lot to offer visitors who are looking to take part in various outdoors activities, with such wonderful coastline and countryside there’s a lot to offer. This scheme is designed to recognised those areas which actively promote these activities, and go above and beyond to welcome walkers and cyclists to their establishments or areas, and have catered for their needs.”

Active Ramsgate ambassador, Olympic Gold Medal winner, skeleton athlete Lizzy Yarnold welcomed the accreditation: “I have seen the activities that Active Ramsgate promotes, and how welcome to the area people looking to walk or cycle are made to feel. This is a fantastic scheme which encourages people to get active and this accreditation is well deserved.”

For more information, visit www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate, or search for on Facebook or Twitter.