Two Kent theatres flagged as 'at risk' of closure, redevelopment or neglect by national charity
The Theatres Trust, a national charity dedicated to preserving UK theatres, has flagged Dover’s Roundhouse Theatre as being “at risk”.
The trust, which publishes an annual Theatres at Risk Register, highlighted the Roundhouse alongside 42 other historic venues under threat of closure, redevelopment, or neglect.
The list, which is now in its 19th year, identifies theatres of architectural or cultural importance that could still be revived with proper investment. Margate’s Theatre Royal is also featured this year.
READ MORE: Fears as plans emerge for over 600 homes and huge new supermarket at Kent gas depot
READ MORE: Unique family-run pub which 'reflects a different era' named best in Kent by Daily Telegraph
The closure of the Roundhouse Theatre in 2022 left Dover without a publicly accessible performance venue, apart from a school theatre, leaving what the charity describes as a “cultural vacuum” in the area.
Ownership of the Roundhouse, which is part of the Dover Discovery Centre, is split between Kent County Council and Dover District Council.
Recent redevelopment plans for the centre, which initially excluded the theatre, provoked public protest, including a petition with over 1,000 signatures and a successful campaign to have the building designated as an Asset of Community Value.
The Roundhouse had been a hub for local drama groups, including Dover Operatic and Dramatic Society and Dover Youth Theatre, providing a platform for amateur performances and training for young talent.
Kent County Council initially submitted a planning application in 2022 to convert the theatre into office space, but the proposal was withdrawn later that year.
Following public backlash, the council changed its plans and now aims to repurpose the Roundhouse for broader cultural programming. Proposed activities include creative workshops, rehearsals, and training, with increased community access.
A feasibility study commissioned by the Theatres Trust in spring 2024 explores refurbishment options.
The charity said it hoped that this would lead to the theatre’s re-opening, providing a much-needed cultural and arts facility for Dover residents.
Joshua McTaggart, director of the Theatres Trust, emphasized the importance of protecting such spaces, stating: “We understand that local authorities face tough decisions, but short-term savings come at the expense of vital community resources.
“We want to work with councils and theatre operators to find solutions that put theatres like the Roundhouse on a firmer footing.”
Margate's Theatre Royal also features on the trust’s annual Theatres at Risk Register. Built in 1787, the Theatre Royal boasts a rich history, having served as a chapel in the 1840s and a cinema between the world wars. Its most significant transformation came in 1874 under architect Jethro Thomas Robinson, whose work created the unique horseshoe-shaped auditorium with two balconies adorned with intricate Victorian swags. The Theatre Royal remains the last intact example of Robinson’s designs, with only The Old Vic in London sharing a connection to his architectural legacy.
Thanet District Council has owned the theatre since 2007 and has been exploring ways to make it financially viable since operations stopped in April 2022. Efforts to preserve the Grade II listed building in Addington Street received a significant boost through a combined £5 million investment from the council’s Towns Fund grant, enabling urgent repairs and the development of an architectural master plan.
In 2024, the council launched a procurement process to appoint the architectural and design team to lead the theatre’s transformation and announced plans to integrate the Theatre Royal with the nearby former London Hotel on Hawley Square. The vision is to create a performing arts hub that builds on Margate’s growing reputation as a cultural destination.
Since its launch in 2006, the Theatres at Risk Register has successfully raised awareness of endangered venues, with more than 80 theatres restored or replaced.