The team behind the ambitious project to bring the Margate Winter Gardens back into use will be hosting a public engagement event next week.
Westwood One Theatre – also operator of the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate and Under 1 Roof nurseries- has finalised the agreement with Thanet council for a 999-year lease and a £4 million grant towards the renovation from Margate’s £22m Town Deal fund.
This followed the completion of architectural plans to RIBA Stage 2 and proof of match funding- which will bring the total to the £7.9m needed to complete the scheme.
The engagement event will be held at the new Margate Digital Campus in the High Street on February 10 from 4pm to 7pm. People will be able to talk to the team and see the latest designs.
Initial designs revealed last year included plans for new extensions including for a restaurant and terrace, a new entrance, ramped outdoor access, VIP booths and demolition of the roof cover over the current entrance steps.
The designs outlined the removal of structures at the promenade end of the building to be replaced with extensions for the sea view restaurant, a new main entrance at the promenade side of the building and extensions for drama school classrooms. An extension of the lobby will create nursery space.
The nursery will include separate baby and toddler areas, a sleep room, pre-school and staff facilities. There will also be outside ramped access for those with pushchairs.
The main hall will include a new bar extension and a secondary entrance/exit route to the promenade.
A VIP entrance and booths are also proposed, as well as mezzanine ‘pod over’ seating areas.
The new restaurant will cater for between 80 and 100 covers and a new extension will provide the base for a new restaurant terrace.
The drama school will have studio and performance space with stage as well as classroom areas.
Ramped access will be created to the gardens.
The day nursery is considered a vital component to make sure the Winter Gardens is financially viable and sustainable considering the buildings listed status and age.
Further work looks at how external features of the original 1911 building that have heritage and architectural significance can be protected and enhanced, particularly in relation to proposed first floor extensions to create additional space for the roof top restaurant/bar and for the drama school.
Costs and grant/match funding
Council documents explain that the refurbishment is estimated at £7.9m plus VAT (£9.5m gross). Of this the council is providing grant support of £4m plus VAT, with the balance being provided by Westwood One Theatre, supported by capital borrowing.
The draft heads of terms of the proposed lease, include provision to allow Westwood One Theatre, or their successor, to secure borrowing as a first charge against the value of their lease. The lender has also provided ‘a letter of comfort ‘confirming their commitment to the project and willingness to provide loan finance secured against the lease.
The council will hold a £200k security deposit/bond releasable upon material completion of the Winter Gardens refurbishment. It will also hold a second charge against the lease (first charge held by Westwood One Theatre’s lender) to secure the value of the £4m grant.
Council documents say due diligence checks have included Companies House checks, credit score checks on Westwood One Theatre Ltd and other associated businesses and detailed officer reviews of the business plan and cost plan.
Margate Winter Gardens construction
The Pavilion and Winter Gardens took just nine months to build, costing £26,000, and opened on August 3, 1911.
When completed the Pavilion and Winter Gardens consisted of: a large Concert Hall, four entrance halls, two side wings and an amphitheatre.
Originally the stage could be viewed from both the main hall and the amphitheatre with the ability to enclose the stage in bad weather. The accommodation was for about 2,500 persons inside the building and 2,000 in the open air.
“a 999-year lease”????
Totally agree Peter ,maybe 25 years max
Also, why is the “open day” only for 3 hours in the evening?
This is all smoke and mirrors.. a lender willing to loan on this building is absolutely rubbish it’s got concrete decay cancer throughout. How Westwood one have managed to get this match I just don’t believe it… wait and see this will be like dreamland all over again.
I just hope they do not employ any of the Management team Your Leisure had. As they were the main reason it closed. Turning away bookings. Having the Box Office closed most of the time. In spite of the fact they had office staff in the office 5 days a week. Bullying staff and being rude and arrogant to Customers. The list just goes on.
i will believe it when i see it reopened – as simple as that