An art school is expanding into a former town centre Primark which has been empty for more than a decade.

The budget clothes store chain closed its branch in the heart of Margate in 2012 to open a larger store nearby at Westwood Cross shopping centre.

There have been various schemes put forward for the site, including flats with shops below and a centre designed to celebrate cultural diversity.

But now, The Margate School - which occupies the former Woolworths opposite - is taking it over as a community design and creativity hub.

A spokesman for the arts education centre, said: “The new owners of the former Primark building have offered The Margate School to take up space to expand its provision.

“The Margate School in partnership with industry aims to transform the space into a community design and creativity hub, fostering co-creation and collaboration among local residents, students, and creative industry professionals.”

The identity of the unit’s new owners has not yet been revealed.

It was a BHS store before the clothing giant took on the shop.

The spokesman continued: “This initiative seeks to enhance Margate’s cultural landscape by providing a vibrant space for artistic and educational endeavours, strategically located near prominent institutions like Turner Contemporary.

“By partnering with key creative design, technology, and publishing organisations, the project will facilitate innovative workshops, community engagement, and design initiatives that address social and environmental challenges.

“The hub will also empower individuals through participatory practices, aiming to catalyse economic growth and enrich the local community while positioning Margate as a significant centre within Britain’s Creative and Cultural Industries.”

Previous schemes for the building include a two-storey extension and 11 flats.

The ground floor would be kept for commercial, restaurant and bar use.

Plans were approved in 2017 but never came into fruition.

In 2020, an application was put forward to create a cultural hub, but these again did not materialise.

The Margate School was recently saved from closure after a crowdfunding effort.

Substantial anonymous donations were made and a painting by Pete Doherty was auctioned off to fund its survival.