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Medieval Hospital Becomes Youth Hub
22 May
Summary
- A 12th-century hospital in Kent is being transformed into a youth centre.
- The project is part-funded by £4.4m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- The Marlowe Theatre aims to reopen the building in 2029 after extensive renovations.
The Poor Priests' Hospital, a medieval building in Canterbury, Kent, is set to be revitalized as a dynamic youth centre called The Hive. This initiative by the Marlowe Theatre aims to create a creative space featuring a café and areas available for public rental. The project has received significant backing, including £4.4 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The £8.5 million endeavor will not only restore medieval aspects of the 12th-century structure but also expand the Marlowe Theatre's youth theatre outreach to an additional 16,000 students annually. It will also house the Marlowe's Writer's Room and a dedicated space for the Cygnet School dance programme.
Following a £1.6 million facade renovation completed in June 2025, the building will close later this year for further restoration. The Marlowe Theatre is actively seeking an additional £2.2 million in investment to fully realize the project, with the venue targeted to reopen its doors in 2029.
