A Grade II listed Art Deco lift situated on Ramsgate seafront that was built in the 1920s and was capable of carrying 20 passengers has gone on sale for £20,000.
The historic West Cliff Lift was built in 1929 by W W Martin for £3,328 and used to carry 20 passengers at a time before going out of service in 1993.
It is situated on Ramsgate seafront on the Western Undercliff in Kent, where it was disposed of by Thanet District Council two years ago.
The sale papers at that time recalled its faded glory, describing it as being in “poor condition” and suffering from vandalism and graffiti.
This historic Grade II listed structure can carry 20 passengers and was constructed in the 1920s. The structure is located on Ramsgate’s Western Undercliff, Kent. Thanet District Council disposed it off two years ago.
Volunteers from the Western Undercliff Regeneration Group used to take care of this structure. According to a spokesperson, an elderly volunteer had taken care of the bottom, keeping it clean, weed-free, and fresh painted.
The Art Deco-style panels can be found at the rear of the lift. Also, the panel in the middle that contains the colors blue and white is visible. The lift is close to the Western Undercliff cafe and toilet block which was sold at auction by Thanet council in 2018 for £100,000.
A price list board from the days when the lift operated was still found in it. Adults would be 30p, children and pensioners would e 20p – or you could buy a weekly ticket for £1.25.
The structure used to be cared for by volunteers of the Western Undercliff Regeneration Group and in August 2017 they took on a £1,200 project to replace the Perspex panels in the shaft and create art at both the top and the bottom of the structure.
An elderly volunteer from his community had cared for the bottom of the river, maintaining it tidy, weed-free, and fresh painted according to a representative of the group.
It is now hoped that it will attract the attention of developers or business operators who are keen to restore its former glory.
It will go under the hammer through Clive Emson Auctioneers on December 15 for £20,000 plus , and also has a knock down guide price.
A description reads: ‘An interesting piece of freehold real estate being the former Western Undercliff lift, situated between the Westcliff promenade, opposite the Lookout Café and the roundabout with Royal Harbour approach and Military Road on the lower level.
The engine house (pictured) inside the historic lift, which according to historians was built in 1929 by W W Martin for £3,328, before going out of service in 1993. It was capable of holding 20 people at once using hand-operated ratchet lever lifts.
With the large central panel of glass, you can clearly see the amazing lift shaft. Infilled with beautiful coloured glass ranging from dark blue at base to light at the top.
A price list board from the days when West Cliff Lift operated was also discovered inside. Adults would be 30p, children and pensioners would e 20p – or you could buy a weekly ticket for £1.25
The property includes a lift shaft that has a central panel filled with coloured glass (dark blue at the bottom, white at the top). The engine house is located at the bottom, on the right-hand side of the lift shaft. It has been retired from use since many years.
The lift is close to the Western Undercliff cafe and toilet block which was sold at auction by Thanet council in 2018 for £100,000.
In the last year planning approval was given for a café, restaurant and flats at the site – but this year the developer said the proposal may not go ahead due to a row with Thanet council over further financial contributions.
Clive Emson allows you to view this listing here.