All 15 Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Councillors have signed a letter to Kent County Council in a bid to save the Broadstairs Memorial Hall and Pottery from being sold off.
The premises, in Fordoun Road, is home to the Sarah Thorne Theatre and adult education classes.
But Kent County Council, which owns the building, plans to sell it as part of its asset disposal programme.
A Notice of Intention to Dispose of Broadstairs Memorial Hall and Pottery, was served to Thanet council last year.As an Asset of Community Value (ACV), an Interim Moratorium had to be observed to allow a competitive bid from a community interest group. That time has now expired.
Michael Wheatley-Ward, who was formerly at the helm of the Theatre Royal, founded the Sarah Thorne Theatre which was incorporated as a community interest company in 2008.
It is the town’s only theatre and hosts shows including the annual pantomime, charity events, Broadstairs Folk Week performances and more.
The theatre company is currently negotiating a five year lease with KCC as an interim measure.
In 2023 KCC announced plans for the closure of services at Broadstairs Adult Education Centre to be relocated to Broadstairs library as part of a consultation that also included shutting Callis Grange Children’s Centre and Priory Children’s Centre so new Family Hubs could be created.
Broadstairs councillors are now asking KCC to halt sale plans of the Memorial Hall until the outcome of the latest local government devolution process is clear.
KCC, Medway Council and all 12 district and borough councils in the county have until 21 March to come up with an interim proposal as to how Kent and Medway could be divided into unitary authorities, with full proposals expected by 28 November.
Broadstairs Mayor, Cllr Mike Garner said: “The Sarah Thorne Theatre is the only theatre in Broadstairs and it’s important that it isn’t allowed to be closed and sold for development.
“For the last 17 years, Michael Wheatley-Ward and his team of enthusiastic volunteers have worked hard to make sure that this multi-use venue has survived and thrived in the town. As well as attracting touring companies from around the country, it is a vital venue that enables local theatre and music groups to put on performances.
“Indeed, only a couple of weeks ago over 100 people attended the Mayor’s charity gig which, as well as raising over £1,000 for charity, bought people together to enjoy music performed by local youngsters from the Pie Factory.
“The town cannot afford to lose this venue which is why all 15 Town Councillors signed the letter we wrote to County Hall calling on them to halt any sale of the building until the recently started devolution process is finalised.”
Pie Factory Music’s building in St Lawrence is also on the asset disposal list. The youth charity has had two bids to buy the site rejected by Kent County Council (KCC).
‘Hasty and ill-conceived’
The letter from Broadstairs councillors to KCC says: “In light of the imminent changes to the structure of local government in Kent, we respectfully request that Kent County Council place an immediate moratorium on the sale of the Broadstairs Memorial Hall and Pottery at Fordoun Road, Broadstairs, which is listed as an Asset of Community Value.
“As part of the devolution process currently underway, local communities will become ever more reliant on their own assets and amenities. To sell it off at the start of this process without fully understanding how the whole devolution process will unfold, seems to us hasty and ill-conceived.
“We request Kent County Council halt the process whilst plans for the long term future of our communities can be considered and mapped out. Our community buildings, infrastructure and amenities will form an integral part of the new local government landscape and they should not just be sold off to the highest bidder with scant concern for the people they have successfully served for many years.”
Sarah Thorne lease negotiation
A spokesperson for the Sarah Thorne Theatre said: “We are extremely pleased that Broadstairs Town Council is seeking to delay the disposal of the Hilderstone site by KCC which we currently occupy as our home base and have been for 18 years.
“Sarah Thorne has invested a six figure amount in this building and is solvent with cash reserves.
“Currently our Solicitors are discussing a five year lease with KCC as an interim measure. We hope the politicians see sense and allow this building, built by public subscription, to remain in the hands of the town.
“We are so confident of our future that we have announced our pantomime for this year, Dick Whittington and also our plans for 2026 when we will stage Jack and the Beanstalk.”
Sarah Thorne Theatre upcoming shows
8th March: Nigel Osner is “Too Young To Stay In, Too Old To Go Out”
Life’s challenges and opportunities for those just that little bit older! Lots of humour but with a bitter sweet edge. Original songs and stories by male and female characters. Nigel examines dating, love, work, holidays – even the gym. Fringe Review said “A beautiful piece of solo work”.
Please also see the promotional video on our web site,
16th March: “The Secret Life of Enid Blyton” with Liz Grand
Enid Blyton was loved by children. She sold more than 600 million books, despite all her work being banned by the BBC, many Libraries and Schools. This is the story of her secret life!
23rd March: “Die Fledemus” by Johann Strauss.
Merry Opera return with their version of this much loved opera.
29th March: “Beethoven Sonatas”
A rare opportunity to enter the world of Beethoven and experience a performance devoted to the most famous of his sonatas. Virtuoso pianist Peter Hewitt will lead us through four of the greatest works by this towering composer.
11th to 13th April: “Mixed Doubles”
Hilderstone Players present this entertainment on Marriage by George Melly, Alan Ayckbourn, James Saunders, Harold Pinter, Alun Owen, Fay Weldon, David Campton, Lyndon Brook and John Bowen.
Full production details plus ticket prices/times and how to Book on line via https://www.sarahthornetheatre.co.uk/ (booking fees apply) or ring Ticketsource on 0333 666 4466.
I understand that KCC have around £11m in reserves – now that their rainy day has come, why don’t they use that money to keep valuable community venues for the future, rather than slash and burn everything?
I’d be more concerned that kcc only have 11m in reserves. As for the theatre, the councillors have known about this since 2023, it has to be assumed they’ve not found a way to buy the place or come up with an alternative say forward.
If as pc says the building is tatty where does the money come from? TDC has been unable to retain its entertainment oriented assets why would kcc be any different
The hall itself isn’t too bad, but the toilets are dire, and the canteen/bar is just a very grubby art room that they temporarilly use whenever performances are on.
If the canteen/bar which Peter Checksfield mentions is the large ground floor room next to the entrance hall to the theatre and other rooms, it must have got “very grubby” during 2024, as until then it was a clean and tidy room used for art classes and sewing classes.
I’m quite aware of that. I worked as a life model there for many years. Perhaps you were lucky enough to do drawings of me?
I think I remember you now?
The buildings are an asset of community value and as such the theatre team and/or the Town Council should have first refusal to purchase it. KCC, so far, have refused to countenance this.
Is that because a sensible offer hasn’t been made? Or does the Town Council have a very different view as to the value compared to kcc?
Actually £56 million in reserves, £11 million was ADDED this month, bonkers of a policy
Why is having a reasonable sum as a reserve bonkers?
The place is in a bit of a state, but we’ve seen some great shows there (two just last year) – and with Margate’s two theatres gone there are so few places in Thanet to see a mixture of theatre performances and live concerts. I hope it’s saved!
If the Theatre Royal is ever operable again TDC should employ Michael Wheatley Ward as it went down the Pan after he left.
He used to put on extremely good productions in a proper theatre.
Totally agree,James .Saw some excellent shows at Theatre Royal
Well there’s always The Pavilion …
This place needs to be disposed of to save the tax payer millions. This place has needed to be demolished and rebuilt for years.