Issue - meetings

Councillor Yates presented a petition requesting that Thanet District Council set up a public meeting whereby the public can show their support for the venue, ask questions, and hear what the long term strategy is for the building before it is closed. Members noted that the following petition contained 2000 signatures at the time of submission:

“The Margate Winter Gardens has been open and supporting the Thanet community for 110 years, the last time it was closed was during World War II. The 2,000-capacity venue has created enormous value for the local area, supporting local jobs and entertaining hundreds of thousands over the years.

It is set to close in August 2022, following the early termination of the Your Leisure lease.

This petition is a call on Thanet District Council to set up a public meeting whereby the public can show their support for the venue, ask questions, and hear what the long term strategy is for the building before it is closed.”

Following the debate by Members, and in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, the petition was referred to Cabinet. There would be a report back to Council within three ordinary meetings.