Seaside Summit Set To Spotlight Coastal Enterprise And Regeneration

Business leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs will gather at the historic Albion House in Ramsgate on Thursday 5 March 2026 for Seaside Summit, a one-day event dedicated to exploring the future of Britain’s coastal economy.

Hosted by Emma Jones CBE, Non Executive Director of Ramsgate Space, the Seaside Summit will shine a light on how seaside towns are reinventing themselves as thriving centres for business, creativity and community life.

Record numbers of people continue to start their own business, in particular in coastal locations, with research released by GoDaddy in June 2024 showing seaside towns as the new enterprise hotspots: ‘The UK's small business community is in good health and we've seen growth in microbusiness density in most parts of the country. Many iconic coastal towns have been at the heart of this boom. The trend is particularly pronounced in the south of England, as people have moved out of London post-Covid.' Source: Andrew Gradon, head of GoDaddy UK & Ireland. 

The National Coastal Tourism Academy reports that 10% of all international visitors who arrive in the UK head to the coast. Source: https://coastaltourismacademy.co.uk/coastal-tourism

The event will feature a high-profile line-up of speakers including:
Lord Bassam of Brighton
Polly Billington MP
Nick Gliddon (Vodafone)
Neil Brocklehurst (The Post Office)
Paul Barlow (Southeastern Rail)
Tim Davies-Pugh (Power to Change)
Theodora Hadjimichael (Responsible Finance)
Rob Kenyon (Heritage Labs)
Louise Brooks (Ramsgate Space) 

Throughout the day, discussions will explore topics such as investment in coastal businesses, connectivity and transport, sustainable tourism, and how seaside towns can attract new residents, investment, and entrepreneurs. Sessions will also highlight success stories from local founders building businesses by the sea, and innovative ideas to support enterprising people and projects to fill empty shops and buildings. 

Emma Jones CBE said:

“The Seaside Summit is about celebrating the coast as a place of opportunity for enterprise, innovation and quality of life. Britain’s coastal towns have extraordinary potential, and this event will bring together people who are helping to unlock it.”

Guests will enjoy a full programme of talks, networking, and local hospitality, including lunch at Albion House and post-event drinks at Perico Lounge where a new publication, Seaside CEO, will be launched, profiling local business owners from Ramsgate. 

The Seaside Summit is supported by GoDaddy.

Event details:
Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
Time: 10:00 – 16:00 (followed by drinks until 18:00)
Venue: Albion House, Albion Place, Ramsgate CT11 8HQ
Tickets include access to all sessions, refreshments, lunch and networking drinks.
Click here for agenda and to secure your place -> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seaside-summit-tickets-1684657930219?aff=oddtdtcreator

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