The value the Turner Contemporary gallery has brought to Margate was revealed at the House of Commons on Monday night.

Groundbreaking research by academics at Canterbury Christ Church University says the gallery, which opened in April 2011, provides a greater sense of connection between families and friends, helps people to be receptive to new experiences, increases people’s sense of belief and inspires people to become more active members of society.

Director Victoria Pomeroy told guests at a reception hosted by North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale: “At a time when our communities are fractured and divided, this research brings great hope that art really does inspire positive change and can help us to build a stronger, more creative and connected society in the future.

“I am very proud of the gallery today – it is a creative and vibrant participatory space where people from all backgrounds and of all ages explore art and ideas through looking, discussing and making.

“It has also become apparent that it is an important civic space valued by visitors as a different kind of place where they can spend valuable time with families and friends.”

Using a method called social return on investment, researchers led by Dr Andrew Jackson found that for every pound spent by visitors to the gallery £2.88 was generated, for every pound spent by the gallery on life-long learning £4.09 was created, and for every pound spent on formal education programmes there was a £5.15 return.

Turner Contemporary has attracted two million visitors in its first five years, bringing 960,000 people to the town that would not have visited otherwise.

In 2015/16, it is estimated that visitor-related spending in Margate was worth £7.8 million, enough to safeguard 101 full-time jobs across the county.