A Garlinge nan-of-two is aiming to raise funds to take on St Augustine’s in Westgate and create a vibrant centre for the community.
QEQM Hospital admin worker Connie Brighouse hopes residents will join her effort to save the Grade II property which has been mostly vacant since the collapse of St Augustine’s College Ltd in January 2025, resulting in staff redundancies and dozens of people who had booked weddings and events told these would not go ahead.
Mum-of-two Connie says she and a work colleague have had talks with agents Sidney Phillips, which is marketing the site for lease or freehold sale, and have launched a public campaign to secure funding and support.
Connie, 63, said: “St Augustines is a Grade II listed building and an iconic building in the heart of Thanet.
“It is not being used by anybody and my vision is for a flexible hub, supporting community groups, workshops, maybe a nursery, developing it into a sustainable, multi-use environment to support families and future generations.”
The property was originally constructed between 1905 and 1915 as a convent, school and presbytery for the community of the Canonesses of St Augustine whom had been expelled from France under the anticlerical laws in 1904.
St Augustine’s College Ltd bought the venue in 2004 for approximately £400,000. The owners then invested in the site to pay for renovations and create a wedding venue and business centre.
The business was impacted by covid closures and administrators say this was compounded by the following cost of living crisis and increased local competition that eventually forced the closure.
The building, which is licensed for civil weddings, has a chapel, meeting rooms, event spaces, bar and trade kitchen, former dorm rooms and gardens.
Connie said: “I have looked at the property with my colleague and the agent liked my proposal.
“There is so much potential which could generate income revenue for this project.”
Connie, who held numerous functions at the site between 2019 and 2024, said: “It is a beautiful building. There is potential to bring back weddings, run a nursery and there are good accommodation facilities.”
She also hopes it could house small, local businesses and host music and other events.
She added: “This could be good for the whole community in Thanet, not just Westgate. Without action, this important Grade-listed building risks being lost or underused. You can’t knock it down as it is a listed building and if it stays unused it becomes unsafe and then the developers move in.
“But we could protect a historic space and turn it into a place where lives are supported, connections are built, and the community thrives.”
Connie says she has received interest in her idea from the Garlinge Residents Association and Westgate Town Council.
The fundraiser has set a £70k target with the aim of taking a lease with a view to eventual purchase.
Find the fundraiser at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/thanet-community
Sidney Phillips is marketing St Augustine’s for lease or freehold sale.
The agent says it offers a “rare opportunity for a new operator to take on a unique property and create their own wedding, hotel and hospitality venue. Alternatively, the property could suit a wide variety of other uses including place of worship, restaurant, children’s day nursery or offices. The premises can be split into smaller units if desired.”
Details at: https://www.sidneyphillips.co.uk/business-detail/96074/
I applaud her thoughts, but another business plan ,built on crowd funding what happens in the future years more crowd funding. I always worry when community ideas are used i.e no money
I agree completely… the standard Margay(te) business model is no longer capital investment, a business plan and cash-flow forecast but “Out with the begging bowl”
I wish Connie and the team well, in fund raising. Hopefully, someone or a business comes forward with a business plan which is fully funded, who could work with Connie to bring this beautiful church back into use.
Nope. You cannot start a business by fundraising. Everyone locally that I have donated to eventually closes after fundraising eg, the Arts Barge, The bookshop in Ramsgate, The pastry shop in harbour street. We seem to waste our money on other people’s dreams.