Ramsgate construction company WW Martin has landed the contract to upgrade popular tourist attraction the Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate.

The Turner, which features on the new £20 notes , is now closed until February for the major renovation work which will see a raft of improvements, central to which will be improving the environmental efficiency of the building.

Halogen lighting will be replaced with LED lighting, to slash energy costs, while there will also be additional toilet facilities, redesigned retail area, improvements to the kitchen for the café and the installation of lighter doors to each of the galleries.

Other works will include new furniture in the café and faster Wi-Fi.

WW Martin director Mike Darling said: “As a Kent contractor, we are delighted to be working at Turner Contemporary. To undertake a programme of improvement works in what is widely recognised as a landmark building in Kent is an exciting opportunity for our business.”

The works follow almost 10 successful years of operation, in which Turner Contemporary has attracted 3.5million visits and acted as a catalyst for the social and economic regeneration of Thanet.

Last year, the prestigious Turner Prize award ceremony was staged in the town and all the short-listed entries formed part of an exhibition. All artists agreed to share the top prize.

Kent County Council is contributing £1.28million towards the capital scheme with £495,000 coming from Arts Council England. These works have been in planning since 2018 and follow a period of scoping and consultation with the public and industry experts.

Mike Hill, KCC’s cabinet member for community and regulatory services, said: “These improvements will not only improve the experience that thousands of visitors enjoy every year; they will secure the sustainability of the gallery which will in turn boost the local economy in Margate and the surrounding areas.”

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