The Broadstairs Memorial Hall- home to the Sarah Thorne Theatre- and Pottery in Broadstairs has failed to sell at auction today (December 11).
The property was being advertised with a guide price of £350,000 with vacant possession for the pottery and tenanted possession of the Memorial Hall by the Sarah Thorne Theatre Company CIC.
However, only one bid was recorded for £305k, some £45k below the guide price. It is now shown as unsold following the close of the auction.
Kent County Council, which owns the Fordoun Road site, had said the sale needed to take place because no ‘viable’ community offer has been secured. The authority said building was surplus to KCC’s needs. It was placed on the disposal list in 2024.
KCC added that it has acted to safeguard the immediate future of the Sarah Thorne Theatre, which is based at the hall, by agreeing a five year lease allowing the Sarah Thorne Trust to remain despite the “necessary sale by auction” of the building going ahead.
The placing of the hall and pottery for auction had provoked pleas for KCC to rethink its decision with Broadstairs mayor Mike Garner saying it would be a ‘significant loss’ for the town.
East Thanet MP Polly Billington had announced the campaign to retain the hall was being backed by Oscar-winning actress, Dame Judi Dench.
Meanwhile county councillor John Finch said he had attempted to work with local councils, businesses and community groups to explore options for retaining the building and the theatre that operates from it as a community asset but ‘exhausted all options.’
Cllr Garner said: “I’m really pleased to hear that the Memorial Hall and Pottery, home of the Sarah Thorne Theatre, failed to sell at auction this week. I’m sure this is shared by all of the community groups, town festivals, local theatre companies, local orchestras and many others who help make this multi-use venue the valued venue for the town it has become.
“Kent County Council now has a second chance to do the right thing by the people of the town and explore other options to make sure that this building, built by public subscription by the people of Broadstairs as a war memorial, remains and isn’t sold off for possible future development.”
Polly Billington MP said: “This is an opportunity for Kent County Council to go back to the drawing board and rethink this ill-judged decision. Reform UK’s leader in Kent needs to take her fingers out of her ears and start listening.
“Local councillors, Dame Judi Dench, and the people of Broadstairs are all telling her loud and clear that they want a secure future for the Sarah Thorne Theatre and for the building to remain in public hands.”
Kent County Council has been asked for comment on what the next steps will be for the property’s future.
No great surprise, the 5 year lease or whatever it is for the theatre makes it a very unattractive buy unless stupidly cheap. But that lack of interest may also work in favour of a community group as it gives an open market base value to work with.