Occupier sought for Margate’s historic Theatre Royal as £6m restoration lined up
Thanet District Council seeking a theatre operator to take a long-term lease at the historic Theatre Royal in Margate, Kent, as the building undergoes a £6m restoration.
Constructed in 1787, the Theatre Royal is the second-oldest operating theatre in Britain and is currently Grade II-listed. A redesign of the building took place in 1874 by Jethro T. Robinson, father-in-law of the renowned Victorian architect Frank Matcham.
The theatre is currently being restored at a cost of £6m, with funding from the Government’s Town Deal programme. A planning application and listed building consent have now been submitted for the refurbishment of the theatre, which envision a venue with approximately 480 seats.
Thanet District Council is hoping to engage an operator by the end of summer 2026, and has appointed Colliers’ Licensed & Leisure Team to manage the process.
The restoration of the Theatre Royal comes amid a wave of regeneration in Margate over the past 20 years. Other initiatives have included Turner Contemporary, designed by world famous architect David Chipperfield, the restoration of Dreamland as a heritage amusement park and music venue, and Tracey Emin’s TKE Studios, created from a former Edwardian bathhouse. The historic Margate Winter Gardens are also currently being refurbished.
Thanet District Council is also offering an opportunity for the Theatre Royal operator to expand their activities through the potential occupancy of 19 Hawley Square, a former hotel directly opposite the theatre. Restoration is dependent on securing funding, but the building could be used to provide resources such as rehearsal rooms and accommodation for visiting performers.
Councillor Ruth Duckworth, cabinet member for regeneration and property for Thanet District Council, said: “The Theatre Royal is a link to Margate’s theatrical heritage. We have a responsibility to ensure its next chapter is its best yet. This building has stood since 1787, and while its history is remarkable, our focus is firmly on its future and what it can offer the people who live here.
“We are mindful that this £6 million investment from the Town Deal must do more than just fix the roof and restore the plasterwork. It needs to create a living, breathing space that provides jobs and gives our community a venue they can be truly proud of.
“We are looking for a partner who understands that balance. An organisation that can deliver a brilliant programme of shows that local families will love, while making sure the theatre stands on its own two feet financially.
“There is still much to do before we can open the doors in 2027, but by finding the right operator now, we can make sure they are involved in the final stages of the journey. We want to see this historic stage back in service as a cultural hub and home of entertainment for years to come.”
Paul Bugeja, director in Colliers’ Licensed & Leisure team, added: “The Theatre Royal represents a genuinely rare opportunity in the leisure and cultural sector, a historically significant venue in a town that has demonstrated real appetite for arts and culture. We are looking forward to working with Thanet District Council to find an operator with the vision and expertise to make this theatre a landmark destination once again.”