Margate Winter Gardens set for "major revamp" after landmark deal
Thanet District Council has agreed a 999-year lease with Westwood One Theatre
Margate Winter Gardens is set for a major revamp after Thanet District Council agreed a landmark deal.
Thanet District Council is going ahead with a 999-year lease with Westwood One Theatre, and a £4 million grant agreement to refurbish the iconic venue which has been closed for some time.
The decision follows a thorough and transparent selection process, which in March 2025 identified Westwood One Theatre as the council’s preferred partner to refurbish and reopen the Winter Gardens.
The project is set to transform the Grade II listed building into a vibrant hub for leisure, entertainment, and education. Key aspects of the refurbishment include:
- Two main concert/theatre/event spaces: The main hall and the Queen’s Hall
- A rooftop bar/restaurant and daytime café offering panoramic views
- Four additional bars
- A 100-place accredited drama school
- A Further Education/Vocational Learning Centre accredited by NCFE
- A 100-place Ofsted registered day nursery
The council's £4 million government grant funding, exclusive of VAT, will fund 50.6% of the estimated £7.9 million works costs, with Westwood One Theatre providing the balance through private sector match funding.
Bob Porter, Director of Place at Thanet Council, commented: "This is a truly exciting time for Margate and the Winter Gardens."
"The council’s ambition has always been to bring this magnificent building back to life, and with Westwood One Theatre, we have found a partner whose vision and dedication align with ours.
"Their plans are comprehensive and innovative, promising a fantastic future for the venue and significant benefits for our community."
Westwood One Theatre said: “The future for the Winter Gardens is an exciting one, and we feel privileged that we get to be at the helm of this incredible project. We are grateful to everybody who has been a part of creating this vision and look forward to re-opening this amazing building.”
Work is expected to start on site in the summer of 2026, subject to planning and listed building consent.
The Main Hall and the Queen’s Hall are slated to open in April 2027.