The Marlowe Theatre has been awarded £4.4 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to transform Canterbury’s historic Poor Priests’ Hospital into The Hive, a major new creative learning centre for children and young people.
Part of an £8.5 million capital project, the development will also restore and reopen the 800-year-old medieval site as a free heritage destination for the public.
The Hive will provide a permanent home for the Marlowe’s work with young people, featuring a dedicated studio and breakout spaces designed to support creativity, participation and wellbeing.
The project will also revitalise the historic building, including the Great Hall and 13th century St Mary’s Chapel, with new artworks and interpretation designed to bring its stories to life.
Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive of the Marlowe Theatre, said: “The Poor Priests’ Hospital project has been nearly a decade in the making and we’re thrilled that this National Lottery Heritage Fund award means we can now bring it fully to life. This is an extraordinary medieval building with remarkable stories embedded in its walls, and we’re looking forward to restoring and re-presenting those spaces with commissioned artworks and interpretation that help people connect with the building’s past in imaginative ways.
“As you’d expect from a theatre, we also want the building to feel alive with creativity – from immersive heritage experiences and performances in the Great Hall to projects with schools, community activity and the Writers’ Room in the Solar Room.”
Once complete, the site will include a riverside café, community spaces and a programme of events including heritage projects, performance poetry and immersive experiences.
The Hive, named in collaboration with young people at the theatre, aims to reflect themes of wellbeing, togetherness and community.
Roxan Kamali, Director of Learning & Participation, said: “Young people helped shape every aspect of The Hive, from its name to the kind of spaces and opportunities it will provide. The Hive will give more young people across Kent access to creativity, connection and experiences they might not otherwise have, creating a permanent home for self-expression, collaboration and belonging. We want it to be a welcoming space where young people feel ownership, inspiration and sanctuary.”
The redevelopment is expected to significantly expand the theatre’s reach, increasing participation from 4,000 to more than 20,000 young people annually and welcoming over 60,000 visitors each year.
Stuart McLeod, Director, London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund has a strong track record of supporting projects that put young people at their heart – not just taking part but helping to shape and lead what happens. The restoration of The Poor Priests’ Hospital will create a dynamic hub for arts, culture and community engagement, providing a much-needed space for young people across Kent to gather and learn creatively as well as opening up this beautiful medieval building for the benefit of all. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re supporting ambitious projects that care and value heritage to create lasting impact for communities across the UK.”
The building will close in late 2026 for restoration work, with The Hive set to open to the public in 2029.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
