Final element of Herne Bay bandstand renovation nears start

Work could get underway in the next few weeks on the final piece of the jigsaw that would allow Herne Bay bandstand to come back into full use.

Canterbury City Council has opened the tender process to secure a contractor to carry out comprehensive substructure repairs underneath the bandstand.

The work involves reinforcing and repairing the concrete substructure, focusing on areas of corrosion and blown concrete that have been identified through intrusive inspections.

The aim is to get a contractor on-site and the work completed as quickly as possible, although a precise timetable is difficult to predict as the project is weather dependent due to some of the work requiring dry conditions.

Once complete, the entire stage area within the bandstand would become available for use once more for events, live music and community activities.

This project is the final element of repair work across the site, which so far has included:

• Installing a new, self supporting glazed roofing system onto the existing frame, including a heritage design glazing bar
• Timber repairs to damaged timber and redecoration of all external timber
• Strip back and full redecoration of the main central bandstand sign
• Repairs and redecoration of the entire external facade, iron gutters and downpipes
• Internal work to the former Maharaja restaurant unit, including the stripping out of fixtures and fittings, repairs to and a deep clean of the toilets, and redecoration, to allow it to be let again

The above represents a total investment of £650,000, with the substructure repairs adding on a significant amount more. The final figure will be known once the tender process has finished.

Last July, Makcari’s, which already had the lease on the neighbouring unit, was selected to run that refurbished unit following a competitive tender process.

The company was selected as the winning bidder due to its strong community focus and commitment to improving the bandstand as an asset for local people and visitors to the town.

Cabinet member for property, Cllr Lee Castle, said: “We are really pleased to be kicking off the process on this last part of our plans to get a full operation back up and running at the bandstand. It’s something we committed to doing and are determined to get finished as soon as we can.

“It’s an amazing venue that deserves to be at the heart of the town’s entertainment and leisure offer.

“Alongside our work to regenerate the former Tivoli site on the seafront and our £2 million investment in the King’s Hall, these are really exciting times for Herne Bay and we are excited to see these projects moving forward.”

Published: 23 March 2026