£3.6m restoration planned for Margate Museum and Old Town Hall
Work would tackle structural problems that closed the museum in 2024
A £3.6m plan to restore Margate's Grade II listed former Victorian police station, magistrates' court and Old Town Hall has been announced.
Thanet District Council said the money would be used to address structural issues, make the buildings accessible and safeguard local coastal history for future generations.
The buildings sit in the Market Place in the heart of Margate's Old Town and include Margate Museum, which closed in 2024 following previous structural issues.
How the work will be funded
The funding is drawn from a combination of local government funds, regeneration and heritage grants.
The combined package is made up of:
Thanet District Council: £1,770,834 direct investment, including an allocation from the building maintenance budget
Historic England (Heritage at Risk Capital Fund): £999,000
Pride in Place Impact Fund: £900,000, subject to approval
The council said the confirmation of external funding from Historic England, combined with its own allocation, unlocks the opportunity to make a significant investment in the site.
What the work will involve
The restoration will include repairs, upgrades to heating and electrical systems, and the installation of modern lifts and ramps so the building is fully accessible.
Funding to store the collection and fit out the museum is also included.
The adjoining Old Town Hall will be repurposed to include spaces for commercial and community organisations.
The aim is to generate ongoing revenue to support the museum and secure its long-term financial viability.
About Margate Museum
The museum building includes intact Victorian police cells, the courtroom, and a Margate town and seaside heritage collection spanning 5,500 years.
Its collections celebrate Margate's history as Britain's original seaside resort, its connections to the painter JMW Turner, maritime and RNLI archives, youth culture such as the 1964 Mods and Rockers, and historic criminal trials.
Once reopened, the museum is anticipated to offer resources for schools, engagement activities for Margate's diverse communities, and volunteer activities.
What the council has said
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property at Thanet District Council, said:
"The Margate Museum and the Old Town Hall sit right at the historic heart of our community. For too long, these buildings have been closed to the very people who want to, and should be able to, enjoy them.
"Securing this £3.6m funding package is a monumental step forward. It's an opportunity to save our shared heritage and give access back to the community that cares about it most.
"As well as receiving just shy of £1m from Historic England, the largest allocation in the South East region, we were also delighted to welcome Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross to Thanet recently, to showcase the district's heritage assets.
"Thanet is blessed with a wealth of listed buildings and heritage sites that are worthy of protection. Alongside adding just over £900,000 from the Pride in Place Impact Fund, and the council's own contribution of over £1,770,000, that truly unlocks our ability to invest in this site. This project will restore the museum, create accessible community spaces, and give local businesses a chance to thrive alongside our town's culture."
What happens next
The initial focus will be on procuring contractors and preparing detailed accessibility and fit-out plans for Margate Museum and the Old Town Hall.
The main contractor is due to be procured in the first half of 2027.