Theatre Royal Margate
Information on the Theatre Royal in Margate
Theatre Royal Margate: A new vision as a performing arts hub
The Theatre Royal, located in the heart of Margate, was first constructed in 1787. The theatre is Grade II* listed and retains its Victorian design which dates from 1874. It is the UK’s second oldest working theatre and is of national significance.
It was listed in 1955, and in 2018, it was added to the Theatre Trust’s At Risk Register. We commissioned a heritage significance statement to understand the building’s history and the condition of its historic plasterwork with funding from Theatres Trust.
Our vision is to restore and open the Theatre Royal Margate and develop 19 Hawley Square into a performing arts centre and studios.
The project will focus on preserving the heritage of the buildings, while making them financially and environmentally sustainable.
This will create a supportive environment to:
- Help young people start careers in the performing arts.
- Attract a variety of shows and events from local, national, and international artists.
- Create theatre productions with a mix of professional and local actors for audiences everywhere.
Originally, the Theatre Royal Margate project was given £2.2 million from the Margate Town Deal. Because the project is so large, we need to raise more money from other organisations for it to be a success.
In 2023/24, we applied for £10.5 million from various funders. This included a £4.5 million bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Unfortunately, these were not successful. To keep the project on track, the council has now committed an extra £2.8 million from the Margate Town Deal.
This brings the project’s total current budget to £5 million, which leaves us with a £2 million shortfall. Despite this, we are hiring a professional team to create a new masterplan and are committed to reopening the theatre in 2027. Work on the connected building at 19 Hawley Square will now likely happen in a later phase, once we have secured the rest of the funding.
PermalinkIn the winter of 2024, we asked the public, local groups, and theatre professionals for their feedback on the project. Over 30,000 people took part online, and of those who completed the survey, 95% supported our vision and plans.
We also saw strong interest from the theatre industry. 16 different operators expressed an interest in running the Theatre Royal in the future. This feedback shaped our business case in January 2024 and is now helping us move forward with finding an operator for the theatre.
PermalinkIn July 2025 we hired a professional team, including architects, design team, quantity surveyor and project manager, to create the plans, including public engagement within the designs.
The next steps are:
- Apply for planning permission and listed building consent.
- Find and hire contractors to do the building work.
- Work towards a goal of reopening the theatre in 2027.
- Appoint an independent operator (separate from the council) to run the theatre, hire staff, and agree on a lease.
Related news
The Theatres Trust has awarded a £5,325 grant to the Grade II* listed Theatre Royal in Margate.
On Thursday 22 August, Cabinet members will consider a proposal to reallocate £2.8m of Margate Town Deal funding to the Theatre Royal in Margate.
Thanet District Council has been awarded £10,000 of grant funding from Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities project, in recognition of Theatre Royal Margate’s heritage and ‘at risk’ status.
Securing a long term viable future for the Theatre Royal and Winter Gardens in Margate is the aim behind operational changes being announced today (Wednesday 18 August) by Thanet District Council and Your Leisure.