Broadstairs is a coastal town on the Isle of Thanet in East Kent, England, 76 miles (122 km) east of London with a population of about 22,000. Situated between Margate and Ramsgate, it is one of the seaside resorts on the Isle of Thanet, known as the "Jewel in Thanet's crown". The town's crest motto is "Stella Maris - Star of the Sea". As a civil parish, it includes the St. Peter's area and is known as Broadstairs and St. Peters. This was derived from the "broad stairs" carved in the chalk cliff, that led from the sands to the 12th century shrine of St Mary situated above the cliffs.[1]
The town spreads from Poorhole Lane in the west (named from the mass graves dating from the Black Death) to Kingsgate in the north (named after the landing of King Charles II in 1683) and to Dumpton in the south (named after the yeoman Dudeman who farmed there in the 13th century). Reading or Redyng Street was established by Flemish refugees in the 1600s.As a seaside resort, the economy is mainly based around tourism; there are hotels and guest houses on and near the seafront, to accommodate the influx of all year round visitors. Although the number of hotels in recent years has declined because of the high land redevelopment values this has resulted in an improvement in quality of the existing premises. The High Street has a wide variety of independent shops and services, and there are a small number of factories mainly situated on the small industrial estates on the town's borders. The elderly population (many retire to the seaside) has led to many health and social care jobs at local care homes. As of the 2001 UK census, 1.8% of the population resided in a medical or care establishment, compared with the national average of only 0.8%.[7] Many jobs in education are provided by the town's relatively high number of schools and colleges.
[edit] Employment
As of the 2001 census, the economic activity of residents aged 1674 was 34.1% in full-time employment, 12.8% in part-time employment, 10.0% self-employed, 2.9% unemployed, 2.3% students with jobs, 4.1% students without jobs, 20.0% retired, 6.5% looking after home or family, 4.9% permanently sick or disabled and 2.4% economically inactive for other reasons. The percentage of retired people was significantly higher than the national figure of 14%. The percentage of unemployed people was low compared with the national rate of 3.4% and the district rate of 4.4%. 12% of residents aged 1674 had a higher education qualification or the equivalent, compared with 20% nationwide. The Office for National Statistics estimated that during the period of April 2001 to March 2002, the average gross weekly income of households was £522 (£27,219 per year).[7]
The industry of employment of residents, at the 2001 census, was 15% retail, 14% health and social work, 13% manufacturing, 13% education, 10% real estate, 8% construction, 7% transport and communications, 6% public administration, 5% hotels and restaurants, 3% finance, 1% agriculture and 5% other community, social or personal services. Compared with national figures, there was a relatively high number of workers in the education and health/social care industries and a relatively low number in finance and real estate.[7] Many residents commute to work outside the town; as of the 2001 census, the town had 9,842 employed residents, but there were only 9,049 jobs within the town.[7]
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