ARK Cliftonville, at the former synagogue site in Albion Road, will reopen on October 3 after four months of refurb works.
The site was bought by ARK, previously known as Cliftonville Cultural Space, in 2020. Built in 1929, the synagogue served a large Jewish community for almost a century. By 2017, it was no longer viable as a place of worship and the building fell into disrepair.
In October 2020, Margate Synagogue was put up for auction. Residents, Francesca Ter- Berg, Kate Gillespie, Lucy Lyons and Jan Ryan, passionate to preserve this last reminder of Cliftonville’s Jewish past, set out to save the building from demolition or commercial development.
The building was rescued following a campaign to raise £300,000 and Cliftonville Cultural Space was founded.
In 2023 a fundraiser was launched to help pay for improvements and the centre was relaunched as ARK.
Now further work has taken place to extend the main space so it can now seat 150. A new customised bar has been installed and staff will be serving locally produced wines, beers and Hotwood pizzas
The gas boiler has been replaced with air source heat pumps and PV solar panels and LED lighting have been installed. The downstairs toilets have also had a makeover, including widening the door of the accessible toilet to make it easier for people with mobility issues.
Work was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the government’s Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Some new people are also onboard at ARK with Sarah Whiting Blowers as Events Co-ordinator earlier in the Summer, and Sarah Boorman as Venue Manager.
ARK is hosting a series of free events from October 3-5 to mark the reopening and the completion of its Freedom Garden, which was part of a national project marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
The building will be open 10am – 11pm on the Friday and Saturday, 10am – 6pm on the Sunday.
Reopening events
Freedom Garden Launch
Friday 3 October, 3pm
Visit ARK’s new Freedom Garden, part of Our Freedom Then and Now, a national project marking 80 years since the end of WW2. Talk to its creators and find out more about the project.
Freedom’s Just Another Word…
Friday 3 October, 7.30pm
Spoken word and songs about freedom with Morag Butler, Wyatt Riot, Curly Wordy and Nata. Our new bar will be open for drinks and pizza from 6pm.
Animation Workshop with 1927
Saturday 4 October, 10am–1pm
Join 1927’s drop-in animation-making session for young people and families, and catch Animated Artworks, an exhibition created by pupils of Laleham Gap School.
ARK Re-opening Ceilidh
Saturday 4 October, 7pm–10.30pm
A riotous evening of global dance and music hosted by Bower Street Morris and featuring Bollywood circle dancing with Asha Fierce. Bring comfy shoes and a sense of adventure!
Caspian’s Storm
Sunday 5 October, 10am & 12noon
LAStheatre’s family show follows the adventures of Caspian the crab when one stormy night, a strange magic connects sea and land. The perfect family show. Recommended age: 3+
Machloket
Sunday 5 October, 6pm
An evening of food, live music and conversation. Explore the diversity of the UK’s Jewish diaspora with Nick Cassenbaum, Tash Hyman and multi-instrumentalist Josh Middleton.
All opening weekend events are free but booking is essential.
Wishing ARK much success