last Stand for Coastal Youth: ramsgate’s Pie Factory Faces Closure Despite Proven Value
A vital youth center in Ramsgate, Kent, is on the brink of closure despite evidence suggesting it saves the local council hundreds of thousands of pounds annually by providing crucial services to young people. The looming sale of the building, operated by Pie Factory Music, underscores a broader crisis in youth funding across England, especially impacting coastal communities.
The fight to save Pie Factory has been ongoing for a year, but a recent campaign to persuade Kent County Council (KCC) to reconsider has been rejected. This decision comes as a shock given an autonomous report estimating the center generates cost savings of £580,660 per year for the council through reduced demand for services like mental health support, youth justice interventions, and social care.
Pie Factory Music serves as a lifeline for individuals aged eight to 25, offering not only creative and music projects but also essential support including counseling, employment advice, life skills training, and assistance for young refugees. The center became the last dedicated youth facility in the Thanet district after cuts by KCC led to the repurposing of a youth center in nearby Margate. Last year alone, Pie Factory supported nearly 1,000 children and young people.
“When KCC cut commissioned youth services in 2024 we lost about half of our annual budget,” explained Zoë Carassik, who runs Pie Factory. “We had to make up the shortfall fundraising from trusts and foundations to keep the level of provision that we’re running here going.To be told that the building we operate from is to be sold in three months’ time is devastating.”
For 13 years, Pie Factory has operated from a council-owned building in Ramsgate. However, KCC, now led by the Reform UK party since May, plans to auction the property in Febuary. Despite submitting proposals to either rent or purchase the building – proposals reportedly strongly supported by KCC’s Reform UK member for Ramsgate, Terry Mole – these efforts were unsuccessful. The council has offered a commercial lease, but Carassik stated the rent is financially unsustainable.
The independent report, conducted by business strategy consultancy Outskirts Research, highlighted a return on investment for taxpayers of at least £1.2 million, demonstrating the economic benefits of investing in preventative youth services. This data directly contradicts the council’s stated need for austerity measures.
The situation in Kent reflects a national trend. A recent report by the YMCA revealed a 73% decline in funding for youth services in England between 2010 and 2024, with a 6% year-on-year decrease in Wales. Experts increasingly emphasize the urgent need to prioritize funding for young people in coastal areas, who face unique challenges.
Research from Essex University’s Center for Coastal Communities indicates that young people living in the most deprived coastal regions are three times more likely to experience an undiagnosed mental health condition compared to their inland counterparts. Further studies by UCL’s Coastal Youth Life Chances project have shown that limited opportunities for education,employment,and leisure significantly impact young people in seaside communities.
The impact of pie Factory’s potential closure is deeply personal for those who rely on it. Tom, 16, a regular attendee, shared, “It is indeed the place I feel safest when I’m out and about in Ramsgate. If I come here, I know that nothing’s going to go wrong. I’ve made loads of friends and it has become a cozy place for me to be.”
In a statement, a KCC spokesperson acknowledged the need for savings but maintained that the former Ramsgate youth center building was designated an asset of community value, giving local groups an possibility to submit proposals before the auction. The council confirmed it received and assessed Pie Factory’s proposals and has presented choice options, wich the association is currently reviewing.
This story is part of the Against the Tide series, a collaboration between the Guardian and documentary photographer Polly Braden, documenting the lives of young people in coastal communities across England and Wales. The fate of Pie Factory serves as a stark reminder of the critical role these spaces play in supporting vulnerable youth and the far-reaching consequences of continued disinvestment.
