A historic bandstand and amphitheatre where the Libertines played to rapturous fans will soon be open to the public following an overhaul.

The managers of the Oval Bandstand in Margate have hailed it as “an exciting time for Cliftonville,” and say it’s now “full steam ahead” to open soon with government support.

The 130-year-old structure was taken over by the not-for-profit community company GRASS CIC in 2021 as an asset transfer from the council.

Surrounded by an amphitheatre and grass, late last year the firm put in plans to overhaul the area into both an events venue and public space with shops, an outdoor gym and garden.

At a meeting of Thanet District Council’s (TDC) planning committee on September 18, councillors met to make the final call.

Simon Bell, one of the directors of GRASS, told members: “Since the installation of the temporary fence in spring 2023 the transformation has been remarkable, the site has become more secure, enabling proper ticketing and creating a family-friendly environment, free from drug dealing and antisocial behaviour.

“We’ve always intended to open it daily for people to freely enjoy the surroundings and access the toilets.

“With this planning permission we can now start opening every day, operating the kiosk, café and community bookshop ensuring the amphitheatre remains fully accessible and free from vandalism.”

The area has been shut and surrounded by temporary fencing, only open for events - of which Mr Bell says they have hosted more than 100 since taking over, with more than 37,000 visitors.

In August 2022, the site hosted a sold-out gig by indie rock superstars the Libertines, who have adopted Margate as their hometown and base of operations.

Council officers were recommending that members back the plans, which include an additional three shipping containers for businesses, on top of the two already there.

A planning chief said: “At the current time there are a number of shipping containers on site that aren’t particularly attractive.

“It is proposed that they will be clad in timber to give them appearance that blends in a lot more.

Two of the new containers will be 20ft, and the third 10ft, both equipped with water and electric to host businesses - with one earmarked for a a community bookshop.

The managers have already installed ramps and rails for accessibility, and plan to build a “wellness garden” - for both a community maintained garden and outdoor gym equipment.

The scheme was well-received by councillors, with Cllr Kristian Bright (Lab) saying: “I’m really impressed with this.

“It’s a place of entertainment it always was and will be in future - I think it’s returning it to its historic place.”

“I’ve watched what has happened at the Oval over the last few years and seen all the fantastic development that’s gone on there and the events that have gone on so I'm very supportive of it,” added Cllr Heather Keen (Lab).

TDC’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the bid.

Speaking after the meeting, GRASS co-director Stephen Darrer said: “It’s been a long slog but it's been great to finally get it done.

“We’re delighted and the whole team is delighted.

“It’s an exciting time for Cliftonville, obviously there's lots happening within Margate and it’s great to give something back to the community.”

The firm has also received support from the government, with a deadline of March next year to spend funding they were given.

Mr Bell added: “It just means we can get it open every day, we would have loved to have done that at the start.

“We couldn't get it open at the start of the summer but now it’s full steam ahead we’ll be able to get the bandstand open every day with the café and community bookshop.

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“We’ve got a very short period to get lots of quotes, and as soon as we’ve got those quotes and they’re accepted by the funder we’ll be able to start the works.”

He added that they’re “open to expressions of interest” from businesses to take space in the shipping units.

Cliftonville’s Oval Bandstand and amphitheatre dates back to 1897.

A temporary bandstand there before was replaced with an ornate wrought-iron structure complete with a landscaped amphitheatre, which was surrounded by 2,000 deckchairs.

In the 1970s it hosted a model village and well-attended wrestling matches.