Proposals for the transformation of the former Caprice nightclub in Cliftonville into a neon fabrication workshop, and multi-generational live-work unit have now been submitted to Thanet council.
Owner Kerry Ryan, who bought the site in 2019, plans to create a flexi-use site with an art gallery, art educational space, community space, wedding venue for hire, some residential accommodation on a temporary basis and use by artists in residence. There would also be 24 hour security guard presence during high value art exhibitions.
The combination of uses will create a new cultural space at the border of Margate where it meets Cliftonville, offering educational and career training opportunities. Each space is accessed via a different existing entrance.
Kerry, who comes from the Isle of Dogs in East London, creates neon installations for a host of clients and artists including Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Peter Saville and Cerith Wyn Evans.
Now the boss of Neon Specialists, which has bases in London and Miami, is creating the gallery and his studio in the original ballroom (later the nightclub, pool table and arcade areas) as well as the living space. Plans for a roof terrace were removed during the pre-application stage.
Kerry, who has five daughters, has been creating neons for more than 35 years and has worked for himself since he was 18.
He started out as an apprentice when he was 15. Talking to The Isle of Thanet News when he first bought the venue, Kerry said: “It was with Truman in Brick Lane. I was an apprentice in screen printing but they also had a neon department.
“I taught myself and went to the London School of Print in the Elephant and Castle. I set up on my own when I was 18 and then children came along so I had to work even harder!
“I’ve always rented studio space in London but now I have bought (Club Caprice) I don’t have to do that anymore.
“I used to come to Margate when I was a kid and always remember the doughnut stand at Bem Boms. From ten years ago to now there has been a transformation in Margate, it has become a New York city from a down town hood.
“I have friends here and am meeting more people here all the time.
“The main reason I bought it is for the view and the sea. I will have a studio looking straight over that and can just go out my door and go swimming in the sea.”
The first neon sign at Turner Contemporary was also made by Kerry for artist Sir Michael Craig-Martin.
In November 2019 Kerry exhibited a stunning neon light display and video installation at the former Artgame gallery in Margate’s Marine Drive as part of a six month residency.
Planning documents lodged with Thanet council say: “The architectural vision is to conserve, make good and reveal the beautiful historic architecture, retaining the exposed brick masonry brick walls and floors. The ceilings, the ribs (mouldings on the beams), and the cornicing in the main building will be faithfully reinstated.
“Light touch minor alterations will complement the historic architectural design through a simple traditional material palette. The proposed development conserves the open character and historic plan form of the building, and does not subdivide the front space.
“It is also proposed that the existing grassed public open space would be landscaped to a sculpture garden with paths and benches.”
The neon workshop will be used to fabricate neon works and host education workshops and provide a training facility. The public will be able to come and watch neons being made.
The proposed flexible space across the ground floor, lower ground floor and upper ground floor will be the be a live-work unit with three types of areas:
More public, including a large open space on ground floor level.
Shared by all areas, including a kitchen in the lower ground floor and associated stairs
More private, including spaces for residential purposes where Kerry, daughters and grandchildren will stay over. This area will be closely interconnected with the more public parts of the flexible venue.
The most public areas in the middle two bays will have a generous floor to ceiling heights with uninterrupted sea views over the old Lido. This will be used as an art gallery, education space, conferences, community events and/or wedding venue for hire. A disabled toilet will be installed.
A timber stud wall will be introduced between the two north bays, creating part of the multi-generational living area in the north bay and providing a wall for hanging art during exhibitions.
There are also plans for outdoor planting and sculptures. Disabled parking will be included close to the venue entrance.
Between 2-4 staff will be taken on at the neon workshop which will be open from 9am to 6pm each day. The live/work space is expected to have between four and six residents and have visitor capacity of around 220 per day with the same opening hours as the workshop. An alcohol licence will be applied for.
Planning documents say: “The historic architecture will be restored and celebrated in this sensitive refurbishment, and bring the derelict building back to life for the community to enjoy. With the exception of the public facade, additions are designed with a distinct material palette that is easily reversible and contributes a new layer of history.
“The historic architecture will be conserved and celebrated in the restoration of this derelict building, bringing it back to life and in uses that it was designed for originally for the local and wider communities and for future generations.
“The project outcome will have a significant and positive impact on its setting and may well be the catalyst for development in the direct and wider areas of this end of Margate and Cliftonville.”
When finished the venue will be available for party hire and there are plans to get schools involved with the neon workshops.
It is hoped the venue could be open mid-2023.
The Grade II listed building falls within the Margate Conservation Area.
Paragon Court, a four storey Listed Georgian terrace, was built c.1830 and is located on Fort Paragon and the site forms part of this listing and building at basement level.
The historical maps show that there has been a building in the position of the club dating back to the 1891 and 1904 historical maps. It is believed the building was used as an entrance to Paragon Court and as an eating and entertainment area. Paragon Court consists of a number of converted flats.
The application site operated as the former nightclub, Club Caprice from the 1960s. Later nicknamed Jurassic Park by some regulars – on account of its ‘more mature’ clientele -the club ran right up until March 2016 by which point it was known as New Club Caprice.
The club site then remained empty until it was bought by Kerry in June 2019.
Thanet council is yet to make a decision on the application.
Wow an art gallery, what a great idea!
Novel
Indeed – another surplus, existing building being converted to yet another art gallery . . .
. . . whilst at the same time new building continues on our farmland and green spaces to provide housing.
Whoever thought they would be living in a world where art took priority over food and homes ?
Very well said John!
Well at least he isn’t asking for public funding!
Just knock it down
That will revive Cliftonville.
Well no local people come up with any business plan for the place so what do we expect?
I’m not complaining about where they’re from – just their idea. BIG difference Mr. Paranoid.
how original – a new idea for an empty building in thanet ? its the same old song all the time . what baffles me is how this area is supposed the new art capital of england ? . its high time for something thats for everyone , this obsession with art is like a stuck record. i have never visited the turner centre and i have no desire too !
No local people had any ideas for the place real world. We can’t keep complaining when these places are brought up by londoners who wanna use it for art and we get left out. Nobody round here had any aspirations for it and the days of nightclubs are far gone. Art gallery’s are better than empty buildings in disrepair
I don’t think “Real World” mentioned where they’re from either.
What I’m saying Peter is some people just complain at any little development or idea round here
That’s completely different to what you said earlier.
I too complain about yet more art projects in Margate, regardless of who is behind them or where they’re from. Surely we’ve reached satuation point by now?
Empty buildings in disrepair! Again knock it down and redevelop the whole area. I go to the Turner as a stopping point for a wee before walking on.
I have more than a wee, I want my money’s worth!
london and miami , thats sounds more like del trotter ? . i think it was more of a local amenity when it was knocking shop !!!
London, Miami and Margit ot has a ring about it !
Sounds a bit Del Boy to me!
(oops, someone else beat me to it!)
It’s a great idea and I wish them all the luck in the world with it! More art, artists and galleries the better! If that’s the way Margate is being transformed, then why is that a bad thing? Sounds like lots of thought has been put into it and by someone hugely respected in his field. Looking forward to seeing its completion.
Why is it a bad thing? Because, apart from an increase in house prices, it has done zero to revive the area – in fact it has done the opposite, as sticking to “plan A(rt)” and not coming up with anything else is having a detrimental effect. Even post-Westwood Cross/pre-Turner Contemporary, the area was far less run down and with more open and worthwhile shops.
Next question?
“I wish” said New York!
Went for coffee at the Turner slow service, drab cafe no colour at all and then when I went to pay I was told they were. Cashless good job I had a card. Next time ( if there is one ) I wont
Art for arts sake Peter you are a piece of art yourself with your arty farty wit, and humour.
Up there is sod all.
Run down lido.
Derelict
Good luck Kerry with your project but I cannot see it being sustainable
Security on the door.. Peter a job for you as you do love arty farty
Been there, done that. Too busy writing to get a “proper” job!
And you Becky?
Hi Peter, what are you writing? We need more local voices being heard, would love to know what yr working on
Have just been for a walk along the cliff top in Cliftonville.
Stopped to have a look at the ‘Art Box’ in the shelter by Hodges Gap.
Full of graffiti and the so called flower boxes full of weeds.
What must visitors to this area think about it.
It is an absolute eyesore.
What were TDC thinking in handing this over to another so called art group.
Words fail me!
I thought they did a poetry protest (no, really!) to stop people vandalising it?
As I said, words fail me!
Ah, the Art Box … but surely it’s AMAZING!!! We were promised exactly that.