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Haeckels community sauna to be moved from Margate Main Sands to Walpole Bay in Cliftonville

A beloved sauna built to provide a place of wellbeing for the community is being moved to "where it belongs" on Walpole Bay.

Its creator Dom Bridges, founder of Haeckels, built the machine especially with the Cliftonville beach in mind, but he says it has taken three years to get it there.

The sauna on Margate Main Sands. Picture: Terry Vick
The sauna on Margate Main Sands. Picture: Terry Vick

The sauna, which is free to use, has been on Margate Main Sands since September to run alongside the Turner Prize, but Thanet council has now agreed for it to be moved to Walpole next month.

Mr Bridges said: "This is a positive thing by the council.

"I built it to go on Walpole Bay and I can't quite take it in that it's going to be there - I have single-handedly pumped away to get it on that beach for so long.

"We built it three years ago in the town, apart from the wheels which were made in Somerset, and it was part crowdfunded.

"When we got it out on the beach for the Turner Prize, people fell in love with it.

'Walpole Bay is home to a popular tidal bathing pool, and already used year-round by a community of swimmers' - Thanet District Council

"This is the voice of 1,800 people on a Facebook group showing the council that as crazy as it seemed three years ago - a sauna on a beach in winter - people love it."

The sauna is described as a community facility, one for everyone to enjoy and experience the benefits of cold water therapy.

It has had stints on Joss Bay in Broadstairs and even been parked outside Mr Bridges' house, but now will go to Walpole Bay, which has a tidal bathing pool popular with swimmers all year round, until November.

A council spokesman says it has proved to be a popular attraction drawing new visitors to Margate and giving swimmers a focal point over winter.

"We acknowledge that there is appetite for it to stay in Margate and have been working to identify a summer location.

Walpole Bay, Cliftonville.
Walpole Bay, Cliftonville.

"As there are seasonal businesses and because of the high levels of footfall on Margate Main Sands during peak season, the sauna cannot stay in its current spot however, we have proposed an alternative location.

"We recognise that interest in our coastline is now year-round, people are using the beaches differently.

"We want to embrace these changes and begin to explore ways to accommodate a range of activities happening at different beaches.

"Walpole Bay is home to a popular tidal bathing pool, and already used year-round by a community of swimmers.

"We believe the sauna will be a welcome facility in this area and its placement here is in keeping with the nature of the bay and its current usage."

Thanet council has agreed with Haeckels, a natural skin care and wild fragrance company based in Cliftonville, that a licence will be granted for the sauna to be placed at the bay until November 17.

Find out more about the sauna by clicking here.

Read more: All the latest news from Thanet

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