Work on site for the refurbishment of Margate’s Theatre Royal is expected to begin this Summer, with plans including a paved pedestrian/audience outside area, new bars, new dressing rooms, reinstated orchestra pit and restoration internally and externally.
Auditorium and Front of House upgrades will include improved seating, sightlines, and railings, upgraded bars and toilet facilities, increased stair access, and accessible seating in the stalls.
There will also be rewiring, a new electrical supply, ventilation, heating and hot water system, emergency lighting, fire alarm system, technical stage wiring and equipment.
The project will involve extensive repair of the building’s fabric and general refurbishment throughout the facility.
Design boards on display at the theatre today (February 11) also show a first look at proposals for phases 2 for a performing arts centre with accommodation for visiting artists, offices and rehearsal rooms at the adjacent 19 Hawley Square.
Phase Three will involve further decarbonisation of the theatre operation with renewable energy technology. Funding and partnership discussions are being undertaken, but funds are currently unsecured.
In March 2021, £2.2m of Margate Town Deal’s £22.2m funding was allocated to the Theatre Royal scheme following the venue’s closure in April 2022 when the lease agreement with operator Your Leisure was ended. Last year a further £2.8m of Margate Town Deal funding from a ditched highways and public realm project was reallocated to the theatre.
A further £1m, left from a town deal highways scheme, has also been reallocated to the theatre’s overall budget, totalling £6m.
The failure to secure external grant funding means phase two, for 19 Hawley Square will be put on hold while extra funding is sought.
The Theatre Royal and 19 Hawley Square Masterplan has been costed at £7.2m across both buildings, with £4.1m for the selected phase one scheme which is to reopen the Theatre ready for Autumn 2027.
I’m really excited by these new innovative plans for this beautiful old theatre and I’m looking forward to seeing shows there
My favourite Thanet theatre,please make sure Your Leisure, get nowhere near it, absolute crap organisation. I mean that big time
Forget about wasting funds on shutting the road off for outdoor seating and use it on 19 Hawley square which is dilapidated and need of saving. Does the Theatre even need £6 million spent on it? Sounds a lot for small building.