The Margate School, based at the former Woolworth store in the High Street, will be expanding after an offer by the new owners of the former Primark building opposite.
TMS plans to use the space as a community design and creativity hub.
Last year the former Woolworths store was bought from Brede Estates for £1.35m by farmer and businessman Richard Ash, who offered TMS a 20 year lease.
TMS, an independent, postgraduate, liberal arts school, had faced threat of imminent closure after several funding bids failed to materialise and then the property was put up for sale.
Now TMS has secured its future and is able to expand with the offer of space at the former BHS and the Primark site following its recent purchase.
In 2020 the former Primark building was on the market for £2,750,000.
SIR Investments Ltd, which bought the property in 2015 for £600,000 plus £120,000 VAT, was proposing a two-storey roof extension, internal alterations including new stair wells at upper ground floor and first floor level, change of use of existing first floor and use of new second and third floors as residential, comprising 11 duplexes and apartments.
SIR Investments, whose directors were Eugene Dogot and Boo Khoo, wanted to create 11 flats and maisonettes at the site, retaining the ground floor for commercial, bar and restaurant use. The canopy on the upper ground floor was to be removed.
The property was marketed with the planning permissions in place through Terence Painter Properties.
SIR Investments appointed a receiver in April 2022. A charge had been registered on the Primark building in 2021 and the lender, Jakarta based Eddy Hartono, called in the receiver.
Details of the new owner have not yet been released.
A TMS spokesperson said: “The new owners of the former BHS/Primark building have offered The Margate School to take up space to expand its provision.
“The Margate School in partnership with industry aims to transform the space into a Community Design and Creativity Hub, fostering co-creation and collaboration among local residents, students, and creative industry professionals.
“This initiative seeks to enhance Margate’s cultural landscape by providing a vibrant space for artistic and educational endeavours, strategically located near prominent institutions like Turner Contemporary. By partnering with key creative design, technology, and publishing organisations, the project will facilitate innovative workshops, community engagement, and design initiatives that address social and environmental challenges.
“The hub will also empower individuals through participatory practices, aiming to catalyse economic growth and enrich the local community while positioning Margate as a significant centre within Britain’s Creative and Cultural Industries.”
