Entertaining Margate for 105 years

Published: 5 August 2016
Reporter: David Chadderton

The Fort, Margate

Margate Winter Gardens will this week celebrate its 105th anniversary of hosting entertainment and hospitality in East Kent.

The venue, now a famous white building overlooking the sea from Fort Crescent, was first opened in 1911 by Mayor Alderman W B Reeve and has since hosted names such as Norman Wisdom, Frankie Howard and even The Beatles.

During the Second World War, it acted as a receiving station for some of the 40,000 troops landed at Margate during the evacuation of Dunkirk. Its east wing was shattered by a bomb in July 1941, but this was repaired five years later and a new stage constructed.

Steve Davis, Managing Director of Your Leisure, said, "the Winter Gardens continues to provide the local community and visitors to the area with an opportunity to enjoy top class entertainment or celebrate that special occasion at the many events held within the complex every year.

"It has continually adapted over the last 105 years to ensure it remains an important asset for the area and will support the ongoing regeneration of Margate—its own refurbishment will allow this to continue for many years to come”.

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