New owner selected for Granville Theatre

A new owner has been selected to take ownership of the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate and we have initiated the legal process to progress the sale through to completion. 

The prospective buyer is Westwood One Ltd, a local family-run organisation with experience of operating successful businesses in Thanet and was selected following a robust evaluation process. Their proposal will see the theatre refurbished to provide a high quality production, dance and cinema space. 

In March 2022 we invited interested parties to undertake a Community Asset Transfer. None of the bids received met the required criteria and in May 2022, Miles & Barr, a local commercial agent was appointed to market the building for open market sale.  

A panel, made up of six council officers, including one invited from Kent County Council, considered all nine bids received. Evaluation criteria included the financial offer, the social and economic benefits of each bid, demonstrable experience of land or property management, and the extent to which the bids supported council priorities for employment generation and community engagement. 

The evaluation panel scored the selected bid highest of those received, and considered it to offer the best all-round solution. 

This will build on the Granville Theatre’s heritage as a community hub for culture and the performing arts. 

Further information will be provided on successful completion of the sale of the property.