Council approves extra funding for UK’s ‘second oldest working theatre’ in Margate
Council bosses have funnelled an extra £1 million towards regenerating the iconic theatre.
Council bosses have funnelled an extra £1 million towards regenerating an iconic theatre by redirecting funds from a separate “unachievable” project.
It will take the total budget for restoring Margate’s Grade II*-listed Theatre Royal – listed as “at risk” for almost a decade – to £6 million.
The UK’s second-oldest working theatre, it has been closed since 2022 and was previously underused, with the building also deteriorating.
As part of the 2019 Margate Town Deal, Thanet District Council (TDC) secured £22.2 million from the government, including £2.2 million to create a “creative production cluster” centred on the historic venue.
However, a report to the council’s cabinet, which met last night, explains the authority had been unable to secure “any additional external grant funding” to support the project.
In August 2024, TDC diverted a further £2 million towards the theatre refurb from the so-called “Active Movement and Connections intervention”, which would have delivered footpath and public realm improvements to encourage walking and cycling.
But that scheme is now considered “unachievable” and has been dropped.
Part of that funding had been retained as contingency money, and councillors have now signed off £1 million of it for the Theatre Royal scheme.
TDC’s report says: “The commercial viability of the Theatre Royal has historically been challenged by its small 465-seat capacity, poor ticket sales, and limited opportunities for food and beverage revenue.
“This is a common issue for UK theatres under 900 seats without public subsidy.”
Originally, TDC planned to run the reopened theatre itself through an operating trust, but this was later judged to be unviable.
Instead, an independent operator will be appointed under a long-term lease to manage both the Theatre Royal and the neighbouring 19 Hawley Square.
Proposed works include upgrades to the auditorium and front-of-house areas, improved seating, accessibility and toilet facilities, and extensive modernisation of building services such as rewiring, heating, ventilation and fire safety systems.
Plans also feature a new extension housing accessible dressing rooms with a lift, a bar and a stage door.
A new public piazza would be created by closing the road between the theatre and 19 Hawley Square, which would be designed as a safe gathering space for audiences.
Originally built in 1787, then redesigned in 1874, the venue is a key part of Margate’s cultural heritage. But it has been deemed “at risk” by the Theatres Trust since 2018.
The council intends to apply for listed building consent and planning permission for the works in February.