Permission has been granted to turn the former English in Margate language School into two flats, a theatre with bar and actor training centre.
The Grade II listed property in Hawley Square ran as a language school from 1995 until last year, catering for between 60 and 130 young and mature students every week.
Prior to the language school the building was owned by the MoD and was a drill hall. Long before that it was connected to the Theatre Royal and was the Sarah Thorne school for actors.
And now that theatre and acting school use is to return following Thanet council’s approval of the application submitted by Ash Merat.
‘Important opportunity’
Documents by Fabric Architects, on behalf of the applicant, outline the project, saying: “The introduction of a new theatre and actor training facility within the conversion of 38 Hawley Square, Margate, presents an important opportunity to enhance the cultural fabric of Margate and Thanet as a whole.
“This initiative directly supports the creative economy, arts education, and community engagement.
“Margate has undergone a significant cultural regeneration, and this new theatre will contribute to the town’s growing cultural scene. The proposed theatre will be a key venue for local performances and arts education, helping to draw visitors, artists, and performers to Margate, thus supporting both cultural and economic development.
“The actor training facility will address the need for accessible, high-quality actor training in the region. By offering professional development opportunities, the facility will foster emerging local talent and create pathways for professional actors.
“The theatre will provide a hub for community engagement, offering performances, workshops, and events for people of all ages and backgrounds. The theatre and training facility will create jobs and attract visitors to the area. Staff, artists, trainers, and visiting professionals will contribute to the local economy, while performances will increase tourism and benefit local businesses.”
Building history
Thanet council’s conservation officer noted the building’s history, saying: “No. 38 has seen varied, yet repeated, uses over its long and interesting history, being residential c1840 to educational establishment c1850, and by 1879 it appears to have a combined use of School of Acting and home of the famous Sarah Thorne, manager of the Theatre Royal, then back to residential usage C1921 with a Mr Daniel (a solicitor), his wife, child and servants occupying the building.
“In more modern times it returned to being an educational establishment in the form of Language School for international students learning English, which saw the existing basement area under the main building used as the entertainment space for the attending student, before the site became vacant.”
Building future
The theatre will be small scale, with an indicative seating capacity of 36, with the Theatres Trusts saying: “It probably would be suitable for small scale stand-up, spoken word, experimental works and other such shows.”
The theatre area and actor training facility would be in the former garage, with use of the basement/cellar as a bar and recreational space.
It will be used for shows/entertainment, as a space for charities and the community to meet, a practice space for youth groups and an overall community hub.
The bar is associated with the theatre only and is not be intended to operate independently of this.
The main building is arranged mainly over two floors, with a room in each of the towers at third floor, and a basement connecting to an underground tunnel, creating significant interest in the building’s past.
The project received planning approval this week.
Theatre Royal
Plans to refurbish and reopen the Theatre Royal in Margate are expected to enter the tender process for the main contractor in early spring 2026 with hopes to reopen the theatre with a pantomime at the end of 2027.
In March 2021, £2.2m of Margate Town Deal’s £22.2m funding was allocated to the Theatre Royal.
Since then, a plan to create a nationally significant performing arts hub in Margate has been created, focusing on the Theatre Royal’s 245 years of history.
Thanet council says this combines heritage, performance and a move towards financial sustainability.
The proposal includes restoring and modernising both the theatre and 19 Hawley Square.
The project has a total budget of £5m, leaving a funding gap of £2m. Development of 19 Hawley Square will likely form part of a second phase of works once the additional £2m is secured.
Theatre Royal Margate currently remains on the Theatres at Risk Register.
The Grade II* listed property has been shut since April 2022 when the lease agreement with operator Your Leisure was ended.
The historic theatre hosted its final show on April 28 and was then shut to await refurbishment and arrangements for a new operator.
It was listed in 1955, and in 2018, it was added for the first time to the Theatre Trust’s At Risk Register.
