The opening date for Ramsgate’s Granville Theatre – scheduled for May 13 – could be pushed back if objections lodged over the venue’s licensing application mean it has to be heard by a council committee.
Westwood One Ltd, which also operates Under 1 Roof Thanet in Pysons Road, completed the purchase of the theatre from Thanet council last October.
The company is run by Ramsgate sisters Zahra and Parisa Tarjomani and Pyramid Martial Arts & Just Kids Parties owner Matt Milchard. They have been working on renovations since the purchase to create the 600 seat auditorium and cocktail bar, restaurant and community arts space.
A huge programme of events has already been lined up including, most recently, the award winning production Stranger Sings and local productions such as Margate Operatic Society’s The Addams Family.
But a row has now broken out over the submission for a licence to sell alcohol from 9am to 1am and opening hours of 8am to 1.30am.
Michael Goodall, who is one of the directors of Poldark Court retirement flats opposite the theatre, says some residents are concerned at the 1.30am closing time and there are fears of late night noise.
Theatre co-owner Zahra says the licensing application is for ‘blanket’ times which give the option for an occasional late night opening which she anticipates using no more than twice a year, if at all.
But the issue could mean that the application will now have to go to a licensing committee hearing at Thanet council and this is unlikely to happen until after the May 4 election.
Michael said: “We only heard about it when someone notified our manager. We are not against the theatre reopening at all but we do object to a 1.30am closing. We are concerned about that, people aren’t against the entertainment but we are worried about the late finish in a fairly quiet residential area and having people milling about at that hour when there are elderly residents here.”
He added that there were questions over whether there would potentially be a nightclub venue rather than just theatre and films.
Zahra says there is no intention for a late night club and, as a mother with a young child, she has no plans to be working until 1.30am on a regular basis.
She added: “It is a blanket licence that gives us the opportunity to host various events should the need arise. The advice we were given was to go for the maximum hours to cover all eventualities. But I don’t want to be running late nights and I think we will be in line with other theatre and restaurant operating hours.
“It isn’t going to be a nightclub, it’s not going to be a rave music venue but should, for instance, someone choose to get married with us we would like the opportunity to offer them a later finish.”
Zahra said the restaurant and café are vital to the regeneration plans for the Granville, adding: “The income from the café and restaurant area is what will keep the theatre open. Theatres do not make money and there is no support from council grants so it has to be a commercially viable property or it won’t survive.”
She added that the plan had been to send a letter to neighbours outlining the proposals and inviting them to the venue to chat – an offer she says is still open.
The Granville has been closed since the pandemic hit in 2020. The building had also deteriorated and there were estimated repair costs of some £152,000 for internal works and another £250,000 for roof repairs in 2021.
Since the purchase renovation and roof works have taken place with new designs for the foyer, cinema and theatre auditorium and cafe and restaurant areas.
This month work has been taking place on the foyer construction and flooring.
It has not yet been confirmed whether the application will be called before the licensing committee.
A potted history of the Granville
The building began its life as the newly-created Granville Concert Enclosure with a partial roof and windbreaks in 1914, upgraded with a new canvas awning in 1920. The building’s primary purpose was in offering a summer season Concert Party. This was a music-hall mix of musicians, singers and comedy acts.
In 1924 it was given a new roof offering “now complete shelter from the wind and rain” and a new name as The Granville Concert Pavilion .
The old Granville Pavilion was damaged beyond repair in World War Two and was demolished. The New Granville Theatre, as it was originally known, was designed by architect Mr W. Garwood at a cost of £13,100 and every usable brick from the old building was brought back into use, with new blocks being made in the town.
The theatre was declared open by the Mayor of Ramsgate Alderman Austin in June 1947.
Films were first screened from May 1986 on Sundays only, initially using 16mm projection equipment with 35mm later installed, becoming a full-time cinema from 1991. In 1997 two cinema screens were approved and the Granville Cinema was redesigned by Rowlett & Taylor of Broadstairs, retaining one screen for dual theatre/film screenings.
The Granville is Ramsgate’s last remaining cinema of the three that used to be in the town, including the Odeon and the King’s cinemas, and it is the town’s only theatre building.
