Repair work to start on Thanet’s publicly-owned museums

Work is due to start at two of Thanet’s publicly-owned museums: Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs and Margate Museum. 

Contractors will install scaffolding on Margate Museum as well as the adjoining Old Town Hall in Margate this week (w/e 25 October), to facilitate repairs to the roofs and joinery on both buildings. The work is expected to take four weeks. During this time, the pathway that runs between the buildings will be closed. 

Following completion of the remedial work in Margate, focus will move to Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs, with repairs to be carried out to the roof. The museum will remain open to members of the public until Sunday 3 November; the works are expected to be completed ahead of the museum’s planned Christmas events. 

The council has recently employed a new Museums Manager, who will be responsible for ensuring the safe storage of any items temporarily removed from the Margate Museum collection while repairs take place.

Repairs will also be carried out at the Tudor House in Margate, to rectify damage caused by vandalism. Due to the nature of the building, a specialist contractor is required, and it is hoped that the work can start during winter 2024/spring 2025. Work is also expected to start at the Ramsgate Maritime Museum in spring 2025, as part of the Levelling Up Fund programme. 

The work needed at each of the council’s museums was identified through a series of condition surveys. These informed the level of investment needed to carry out essential repairs and maintenance, ensuring the preservation of these historic buildings.

Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property, said: “Museums are really important to Thanet’s cultural and heritage offer. Each of our museums has its own unique displays, collections and stories, and together they play an important role in enriching our offer for residents and visitors.

“The planned repair works are the first step to bringing the museum buildings up to date, with the appropriate conditions for our important historical collections.”

The council’s new Museums Manager is responsible for operations across each of the publicly-owned venues. This includes collecting artefacts, collections care and management, through to visitor engagement and experience and fundraising. 

Information about planned events and opening times at Dickens House Museum is available on the Visit Thanet website.