Issue - meetings

Report to Follow

The Winter Gardens had been a vital part of Margate, and was considered a valuable  asset to the Council and the community. The Winter Gardens has had a great deal of  interest, with communities being passionate about the future of the Winter Gardens. This  passion had also been presented to Cabinet through a petition, in which Full Council’s  referral of this petition was referred to. 

Revenue funding from central government through the Margate Town Deal is available to support the work needed to survey the Winter Gardens and to seek a commercial partner or operator. Information will be published online as it becomes available, to  keep residents informed of the updates. 

The following members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1: 

Councillor Yates; 

Councillor Austin; 

Councillor Duckworth; 

Councillor Whitehead. 

Councillor Pugh proposed, Councillor Saunders seconded and Cabinet agreed the  following: 

1. It was noted that the Margate Winter Gardens was handed back to the Council on  14 August from Your Leisure Kent Ltd, and has subsequently temporarily  suspended operations. 

2. Cabinet noted that a Petition signed by over 2,000 signatories was submitted to  the Council requesting a Public Meeting, in order that the public can show their  support for the Winter Gardens and hear about the plans for the future. 

• It was recommended that once the Council had received further information, a  public meeting would be held. 

• It was recommended through the review of the night time economy that  engagement with Thanet’s communities be undertaken to understand how they  would use the Winter Gardens. 

3. Cabinet agreed the next steps in delivering the Margate Town Deal Winter Gardens project, including, but is not limited to: 

• Commissioning experts to complete a costed structural survey of the Winter  Gardens; 

• Commission a complete set of drawings for the site;

• Identify all legal requirements in relation to the Margate Winter Gardens; 

• Commission a team of multi disciplinary consultants to review the night time  economy in Margate and the Winter Gardens role in that - this will include  engagement with Thanet’s communities to understand the audience potential for  a venue. 

4. Cabinet gave delegated authority to the Interim Director of Property in  consultation with the Economic Development Portfolio Holder and the Director of  Regeneration to market the leisure opportunity at the Margate Winter Gardens, in  order to identify potential interest from operators and/or a commercial partner.