Margate Football Club has confirmed that the first phase of works on the North Stand at Hartsdown Park will begin in February 2024.
The works will be undertaken by Coniston and will begin with the foundations of the new stand, and building behind, being laid.
The club says that after a prolonged process, that has been years in the making, this news will serve as a significant landmark for all those that have played a huge part in the redevelopment of Hartsdown Park.
In May 2021 planning approval was granted for a 120-bed hotel, new stands, restaurant, café, club shop and increased car parking at the club following consultation with the Secretary of State.
Margate Football Club’s application was developed with hotel partner IHG Hotels and the brand Holiday Inn Express to reflect increased demand for hotel rooms in Thanet.
Plans showed the East Block for use as a 120-bedroom hotel together with restaurant and bar facilities. The building is to also include space for MFC club offices and a club shop together with the stadium control room. The stand will be all-seater and have a capacity of 650.
The North Stand will be a terrace with a capacity of 1,300. This part of the plan includes the first team home and away changing facilities, together with ancillary spaces.
The car park will be extended to provide 104 parking spaces and access to all of the East Block offices, shop and hotel.
Plans for a hotel development at the Hartsdown site were originally granted in 2012.
The initial scheme was for a football stadium, an 80 bed hotel, fitness club, children’s club, children’s play area, theme bar, conference and banqueting suites, hospitality boxes, admin offices, boardroom, 10 five a sides and one full size all weather pitch and associated parking and landscaping.
Margate Chairman Ricky Owen said: “This marks an important stage of this football club’s history. For so many years, people have waited for the redevelopment of our ground, and this marks the next phase. Mr Dogot is backing the club yet again, building for the future.”
Director Ryan Day added: “Off the back of this week’s appointment of Mark Stimson as Manager, it has been a positive week and we hope the supporters will come out this weekend in their numbers and get behind Mark and his side as we look to move up the league table.”
Tickets for Saturday’s fixture against Carshalton Athletic can be purchased by clicking here.
