Two Kent theatres remain on a ‘at risk’ list amid continued fears over their future.
The Roundhouse in Dover and Theatre Royal in Margate are among 39 buildings across the UK on the Theatres Trust’s most-recent At Risk Register, released today.
The annual list includes venues which are either under threat of closure, redevelopment or severe decay – but which all have the potential to be revived with the right support.
The Margate venue, in Addington Street, has been on the register since 2018 but has sat empty since 2022 when its last operator, Thanet Leisureforce (subsequently Your Leisure Kent Ltd), ceased operation from the site.
It originally opened in 1787 and is the fourth oldest theatre in the country. It has suffered significant dilapidation over the years however.
It is owned by Thanet District Council (TDC), which is looking at ways to bring the building back to life and plans to invest millions of pounds on its refurb.
The authority recently commissioned a design team to draw up fresh plans and is inviting proposals from interested operators.
A statement from Theatres Trust states however: “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.”
TDC hopes to engage an operator by the end of autumn this year to plan for the theatre’s possible reopening in 2027.
The TT’s statement added: “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.”
The Roundhouse in Dover is based in the Dover Discovery Centre, and is the town’s only publicly accessible theatre.
Until 2022, it was home to the Black Fish Theatre and Academy, a training establishment for performing arts as well as other community users.
Joint owners Kent County Council and Dover District Council have recently invested heavily in the Dover Discovery Centre, with a new-look library launched last year.
A planning application was submitted to turn the Roundhouse into office space, but was later withdrawn.
A statement from Theatres Trust explains: “The council has since identified an opportunity to transition the Roundhouse back into community use.
“This would involve repurposing the space for more broader programming of cultural activity, with increased access for residents throughout the week including creative workshops, rehearsals and training.
“While this is a welcome development, until these plans are realised, Dover is left without theatre provision.
“We will continue to work with the council and to provide support both in relation to the operation of the Roundhouse and wider theatre provision within Dover.”
Theatres Trust is the national advice and advocacy body for UK theatres.
