Thanet council has agreed to transfer £75,000 from its property enhancement programme to be used to buy Retort House back from Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council.
The property, in Albion Street car park, was sold to the town council in 2018 for £10,000 via a community asset transfer.
That sale included a clause for Thanet council to have first refusal if the building was sold within 25 years of the purchase date.
The town council closed the building at the beginning of this year and says it does not have the resources to deal with “a number of costly and complex issues” at the site.
Last September The Escapement escape room, launched in 2022 by Lewis Hunt and partner Mica Dougan at Retort House, moved out after a renewed lease was not agreed.
The pair had initially secured the lease in 2019 but were then faced with opening date hurdles, including the discovery of bomb shelters below the property and power issues.
The property had also housed sport and community facilities run by the town council.
In May notice was served on Thanet council that the town council intended to dispose of the property and last month TDC agreed to make the purchase.
A Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council spokesperson said: “A condition report commissioned by Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council in September 2024, highlighted a number of complex and costly issues which needed to be addressed in order for Retort House to continue to operate. Reluctantly the decision was taken to close the building while councillors considered options in January 2025.
“After some deliberation, the Town Council agreed it does not have the resources required to bring the building up to standard and could not justify raising the funds to do so.
“The manner under which Retort House was purchased in 2018 means the District Council has first refusal to buy back the building at a cost determined by a mutually appointed independent valuer. In November Thanet District Council confirmed that it will buy back the building.”
Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Garner added: “Councillors and officers have worked hard over the last few years to make Retort House a community space to be proud of and it was disappointing for us all to have to close it 12 months ago after identifying the need for work at significant cost to make the roof safe.
“We all agreed early this year to sell the building back to Thanet District Council and we are pleased that this is now being progressed in line with the terms of the original transfer agreement.”
Thanet council says purchasing the site will mean it has the “opportunity to consider options to reactivate the space.”
