Plans to bring an aging theatre back to life are one step closer to becoming a reality after a new partner to take on the renovation was identified.

Margate’s Winter Gardens has been shuttered since closing in August 2022.

But today, Thanet District Council revealed, following an extensive campaign, they have found a proposed preferred partner to help in the refurbishment and reopening of the 2,000-capacity site.

Members of the authority’s cabinet are expected to decide if Westwood One Theatre can take on the project at a meeting later this month.

Westwood One Theatre is the organisation behind the recent renovation of the Granville Theatre, Ramsgate.

It is hoped the scheme will secure the long-term future of the Grade II-listed Winter Gardens as a multi-use leisure and entertainment venue.

Not only will reopening the site help protect the building for the future, it is hoped it will contribute to the regeneration of Margate and help support a vibrant local leisure and tourism industry.

Westwood One Theatre’s vision for the venue would see it primarily operate as a theatre and live music venue, with scope to accommodate conference, corporate events and weddings. These activities would be bolstered by a rooftop bar with panoramic sea views.

The building would also house a drama school, vocational learning centre and registered day nursery.

The report to cabinet recommends that the council affirms a commitment to work with Westwood One Theatre and that up to £80,000 is allocated to support the cost of more detailed work on design, construction costs and business planning.

A number of steps – including developing architectural plans to RIBA Stage 2 (where architectural concepts are aligned with the project brief and budget requirements), a detailed business plan, pre-application planning advice and agreements in principle for funding – need to be completed before a lease agreement is entered into.

Following completion of this work, TDC will be in a position to consider providing a 999 year lease and a linked £4m grant towards the cost of the refurbishment.

TDC’s cabinet member for regeneration and property, Cllr Ruth Duckworth, said: “This is a positive step towards our ambition to bring the Winter Gardens back into leisure and entertainment use.

“The proposal being put forward to Cabinet for consideration is both practical and ambitious, reflecting the building’s heritage as a theatre and performance venue, whilst identifying sustainable year-round revenue opportunities.

“We have always understood that local people are passionate about the role of the Winter Gardens as a cultural landmark in Margate and the wider district.

“Whilst this process has not been a rapid one, we’re committed to ensuring that we have the right partner, with the right vision and I’m pleased that cabinet is now being asked to consider this matter.”

A spokesperson for Westwood One Theatre added: “To be identified as TDC’s proposed preferred partner is a significant milestone in the journey towards reopening the Margate Winter Gardens.

“This has the potential to be a very exciting new chapter for the Winter Gardens and for Margate. The vision we have for the venue’s transformation into a 365-day space will not only enhance the cultural landscape of the town but also drive economic growth and create new job opportunities.”

A previous effort to secure a new owner or operator, launched in 2023, stumbled given the estimated £6 million cost of repairs to get the Grade II-listed venue in a state to reopen.