It has been more than two years since Margate’s Tudor House was closed to the public due to damage caused during a burglary and the need for essential repairs but works are expected to get underway this Spring.
The property is the oldest building in old Meergate, originally built in 1525 as a yeoman farmer’s house.
Thanet council says it is a unique example of a ‘transitional house’ – bridging the gap between medieval open-hall and early-modern houses with two storeys throughout.
A 1776 map shows a sizable farmyard surrounding it. In the 18th Century, a maltings was built at the rear to make barley beer. Between the late 17th and 19th centuries, much of the land belonging to the house was sold off and the building had been subdivided into three cottages by 1867.
The remaining site was bought by the council in the late 1930s as part of a slum clearance scheme. It was due for demolition before a local builder spotted the Tudor beams and alerted the Mayor.
Restoration then took place and was completed in 1951, using mostly Tudor construction methods and materials. The house was Grade II* listed in the same year.
The Margate Museums Trust had been running both Tudor House and Margate Museum until last year when Thanet council ordered it to vacate the property over concerns that the collections were at risk.
The property needs extensive repairs which Thanet council says are due to begin this Spring.
An expression of interest has been put forward by Sean Brady, who runs Thanet Paranormal Association, with a suggestion of running ‘ghost hunting’ and other events at the site once repairs are complete.
The dad-of-four said: “I live on the same road as the Tudor House and have investigated it a number of times when it was open.
“The paranormal group is growing and I hoped to get an agreement to manage the building and bring events to it which would mean it would start bringing in money.
“With the paranormal group and my contacts there would be a lot of teams willing to pay to investigate the premises and other types of events could be held there too.
“ I have been in talks with the new museum officer enquiring about taking on the lease, The museum officer said he will bear me in mind for when it reopens as it’s currently not safe since the break in a couple of years ago.
“But, if I knew that I could take on the premises then I can get the wheels in motion and get events planned for pretty much as soon as it reopens. I want Tudor House thriving again and celebrated for being the oldest building in Margate.”
The 33-year-old had hoped the idea would be considered but Thanet council says it is not currently looking for a tenant to take on the site.
A TDC spokesperson said: “Condition surveys were carried out on the council’s museums, as part of the asset management strategy. These informed the level of investment needed to carry out essential repairs and maintenance at each site.
“The Grade II* listed Tudor House in Margate requires ongoing maintenance and also work to put right damage caused by vandalism. A specialist contractor is needed, due to the nature of the building.
“We are currently obtaining estimates for the work, which includes repairing the external staircase and a side wall. Work is expected to start in the spring, when weather conditions are more suitable for the specialist materials involved.
“Tudor House is currently closed, and is part of the council’s ongoing Museums Review. The museum collection has been audited, and arrangements made to ensure that all the artefacts held are properly preserved.
“As custodian on behalf of the residents in Thanet, and as the owner of the building and collections, we have a duty to do so.
“We are not actively seeking a tenant.”
Did the vandals and burglars damage or steal the beautiful Burmese antique furnuture? Hope not.
The table and chairs are safe and being looked after, along with a further matching pair of chairs that were in the old Town Hall.
What’s a paranormal group? It sounds like superstitious tosh. is there a bright side to it?
paranormal people are very silly.
Dont mock it. You may be visited one day and than you will believe.
We all have different tastes and interests, so if the Tudor House is going to be used for something a bit more unusual, then good luck to the project.
‘…..not seeking a tenant…’ cos we wanna flog it….
I’m pretty sure that’s not the plan…
Left to rot for years like The Caves until they finally did something, The Lido, Winter Gardens, Theatre Royal etc, as with prior TDC/KCC administrations over the decades-while obscene amount of money has been wasted on ‘modern art’ & woke nonsense aimed at 1% of the population.
Except it hasn’t been left to rot has it…
Margate Town Deal projects are in progress to turnaround the Winter Gardens (admittedly it could have done with a refurb more recently than 1978, but that’s being progressed), the same with the Theatre Royal and if TDC hadn’t stepped in as an owner of last resort and kept it watertight when the last owners could no longer look after it then all you’d have now are four walls and a pile of rubble on the floor rather than a roof and unique and very original Victorian theatre interior, which is now getting some serious love… The Caves shows what can happen when people and organisations work together, perhaps you’d like to push for something similar for the Lido???
I do enjoy “modern art” and am very keen on “woke nonsense”! But I’d call it “egalitarianism ” rather than “woke nonsense”.
Whilst not agreeing with all of the present TDC policies. The preservation of what little remaining historical buildings and structures we have left is good to see. As history buff mentions there are also other sites/buildings within Thanet that also need looking into. One request though, please don’t put Thanet and its residents into so much debt that it will take another 20+ years to clear. The central Government Labour group are keen to crow on about how much the previous government debt they inherited. Lets hope that the present Labour council don’t put us into the same position.
i feel it would be a wonerful idea if this building was converted into a welcome centre for asylum seekers , it would give them an insight into british history , which no doubt they are very keen to learn about. it would give locals chance to meet and perhaps become friends with them , and even invite them into thier own homes , what do others think ?