Margate Theatre Royal receives support from Theatres Trust to survey rare plasterwork

The Theatres Trust has awarded a £5,325 grant to the Grade II* listed Theatre Royal in Margate.

The grant will fund a specialist condition survey for the delicate ceiling plasterwork in the auditorium. This funding will help provide the information needed for the conservation and repair of this architectural feature. 

Theatre Royal Margate is one of 10 theatres to receive funding through the third round of the Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grant programme, run by Theatres Trust, the national advisory body for theatres. The programme aims to help progress the restoration, reopening or revitalising At Risk theatres by funding expert support.

The Theatre Royal is owned by Thanet District Council, which plans to refurbish and reopen the historic building as part of the Margate Town Deal programme. A total of £5million is allocated to secure the future of the venue, which is expected to reopen in autumn/winter 2027.

Bob Porter, Director of Place at Thanet District Council, said: “The Theatre Royal is a building with great heritage significance. The council welcomes this grant from Theatres Trust, which means that we can carry out a specialist survey on the incredible plasterwork. It will give us a better understanding of what needs to be done to preserve this unique feature as part of the wider refurbishment project.”

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust says “All the theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register are special buildings that have real potential to bring joy and opportunities to their communities. Theatres Trust is delighted to support Theatre Royal Margate with this project that will help it move a step closer to its ultimate goal.”

The other theatres to receive funding in this round are Amulet Theatre in Shepton Mallet, Derby Hippodrome, Doncaster Grand, Mechanic’s Institute in Swindon, Morecambe Winter Gardens, Oswaldtwistle Civic Centre and Theatre, Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock, Salford Victoria Theatre, Theatr Ardudwy in Harlech. 

The theatres are all on the Theatres at Risk Register 2025, published by Theatres Trust in January, which highlights and supports theatres across the country that are at risk of closure or demolition, and which have architectural and community merit.

Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and Swire Charitable Trust.