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Winter Gardens & Queen's Hall

1954

The Winter Gardens opened in 1911 on the site of an old fort. Low built and D-shaped on plan, with a typical seaside dance/concert hall in front of an open, semi-circular colonnaded amphitheatre. In 1935, part of the amphitheatre was converted to a sun lounge, then, in 1963, the whole of the area was roofed over to form the Queen’s Hall.

The old, flat-floored, main Winter Gardens hall has a proscenium stage on the long side and balconies across the short ends. Bleacher seats and sprung dance floor. The Queen’s Hall has a smaller proscenium stage and a small balcony with kitchens under. Neither hall was designed with an orchestra pit. Both have their own dressing rooms.

Built / Converted
1911
Dates of use
  • 1911 : continuing
  • 1963 : continuing (Queen’s Hall)
Current state
Extant
Current use
Theatre (Theatre and concert halls)
Address
Fort Crescent, Margate, Kent, CT9 1HX, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
-
Events
  • 1911 Use: continuing
  • 1911 Design/Construction:
    Stanley C Ramsey & E Borg (borough engineer)
    - Architect
  • 1935 - 1936 Alteration: Array part of amphitheatre converted to sun lounge; cafe created
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1946 Alteration: repairs after war damage
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1963 Alteration: amphitheatre roofed over to form Queen’s Hall
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1963 Use: continuing (Queen’s Hall)
  • 1972 Owner/Management: Margate Corporation
  • 1974 Owner/Management: Thanet District Council
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1971: 1800
    1990: 1533
    1992: 1500
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    WG 1400; QH 550
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
WG: Proscenium Rake
QH: Proscenium Flat
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: WG:10.2m (33ft 8in)
QH: 8.53m (28ft)
Height to grid: 7.62m (26ft 8in)
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: WG: Original 14; Currently none
QH: 5