Theatre Royal

Significance

The Theatre Royal is a Grade II* listed theatre of major significance located on a prominent site in Margate. The theatre was built in 1787 and remained in theatre use until 1963, with periods for chapel use during the 1840s and cinema use between the wars. It was substantially remodelled in 1874 by Jethro Thomas Robinson. It fully reopened as a theatre again in 1988. The structure of the earlier building partially remains, but Robinson drastically modified the theatre by removing the old auditorium and stage, increasing the width by demolishing one sidewall, and extending the span of the old roof trusses. The auditorium has been compared to a smaller version of his earlier auditorium in The Old Vic, London, of 1871. It is a delightful space with two horseshoe balconies supported by slender iron columns along the line of their fronts, which are decorated with swags. 

J.T. Robinson was surveyor to the Lord Chamberlain. Only two auditoria designed by him remain, this theatre and The Old Vic. With the extensive remodelling of the proscenium arch at The Old Vic, the Theatre Royal Margate is the last remaining theatre with the architect’s design intact. Robinson was also the employer of, and later father-in-law to, Frank Matcham, who is considered by many to be the UK’s greatest theatre architect, which makes this a unique example of theatrical heritage. 

Why is the theatre at risk?

Theatre Royal Margate has been on the Theatres at Risk Register since 2018. 

Thanet District Council acquired the theatre as 'owner of last resort' in 2007, covering the debts inherited from the previous owners Margate Theatre Royal Trust and Castle Trust. The building was then leased back to Margate Theatre Royal Trust on a peppercorn rent until it went into administration in 2012.  

The council appointed Thanet Leisureforce (subsequently Your Leisure Kent Ltd) as temporary operator. It ceased operation from the Theatre Royal in 2022 and the building has been vacant ever since.  

The council has been proactive in looking at ways to make the theatre operation self-sustaining, in fundraising to restore and reopen the theatre, and more recently commissioning a design team for a major capital works project. While the proposals are advanced with planning permission and listed building consent currently being sought, the building remains vacant and is therefore still considered vulnerable and at risk.  

Theatre potential

The Theatre Royal Margate has always been well supported by the local community and Thanet District Council is keen to see it restored and reopened as a performing arts hub. A viability appraisal commissioned by the council in 2014 looked at ways of making the theatre financially sustainable in the long term, including proposals to make use of the adjacent 19 Hawley Square to help cross-subsidise the theatre operation.  The council had identified a preferred partner to develop proposals but was unable to secure funding. 

The area around the theatre has changed in recent years, with the historic Thanet Gazette and Thanet Press print works buildings both being converted into cultural spaces. It has been acknowledged, that while visual arts provision in Margate is booming, the opportunities for participation and attendance in the performing arts is limited. It is hoped that the Theatre Royal Margate can capitalise on the regeneration of the surrounding area and become an important part of Margate’s cultural offer.

Current situation

Thanet District Council was awarded £22.2m through the government’s Towns Fund scheme. A steering group, including Theatres Trust, advised on the economic and business case for the Theatre Royal element of this bid. Following an initial allocation of £2.2m from the Towns Fund, which enabled urgent works to be carried out, and a project manager recruited, the council invested a further £2.8m of this funding in the Theatre Royal project. 

In 2023, Thanet District Council was awarded funding from Theatres Trust’s Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grant programme to undertake a statement of heritage significance for the theatre and carry out further community consultation and market testing to support future funding bids. The council revealed its vision for the theatre and 19 Hawley Square as performing arts hub, sharing the vision with the local community and potential operators. 

A design team was then appointed to undertake the architectural and technical design to support the council’s vision while remaining sympathetic to the historic significance of this important Grade II * listed theatre. The heritage statement we funded was crucial to this work. 

The design proposal includes a masterplan for a three-phased approach to the project: 

• Phase 1: works to reopen the theatre, which will allow the council to progress to further stage depending on the available funding 

• Phase 2: renovation and refurbishment of the adjacent 19 Hawley Square to provide a performing arts centre and artist accommodation 

• Phase 3: enhanced decarbonisation measures.  

Early in 2026 due to increasing project costs, including the requirement for a ventilation system and a new extension with an accessible performers' dressing room and a lift to the stage, the council approved redirection of a further £1m from the Town Deal towards the Theatre Royal to support the phase one works of the project. This was followed by public drop-in session to view the plans. 

Theatres Trust has continued to engage with the council and its design team throughout the process, including providing pre-app advice for the proposals. The scheme was submitted for planning and listed building consent in April 2026, which we were happy to support (read our full planning application response). We also awarded a Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grant to Thanet District Council for a specialist condition survey for the delicate ceiling plasterwork in the auditorium. 

Thanet District Council is now inviting proposals from interested operators and hopes to engage an operator by the end of summer / autumn 2026 to plan for the theatre's expected reopening in 2027. It is heartening to see such fantastic progress at the Theatre Royal. Theatres Trust will continue to support the council in its ambition to fully reopen this significant theatre venue.  

Main photo of Theatre Royal Margate by Theatres Trust. Interior photo by Ian Grundy.