A horse-drawn fire engine provided by public subscription, and manned by a volunteer fire brigade, was kept in the ground floor “Fire Engine House” built in 1883/4.

The Sandgate Society occupies this old Engine Room by agreement with the Trust.

The Reading Room  is 27’ long by 12’6” wide. It has:

Tables and Chairs to accommodate up to 30

people

Electric heaters

Small kitchen

Hot water

‘Fridge & small cooker

Crockery, glasses, electric kettle

Adjacent Upstairs toilet

NB We regret there is no wheelchair

access to the first floor

The panelled room above The Engine Room (as shown on the left) was originally a Public Reading Room and later the Council Chamber of the Sandgate Urban District Council, while from 1934 until 1982, it housed the public library.

The Sandgate Heritage Trust Ltd was formed in 1982 and raised the funds to buy the building from Kent County Council to preserve the building for the use of the public.

The Reading Room is perfect for small hires such as committee meetings or small group meetings.  It is used by the Jazz Appreciation Club, the Bridge Club, Sandgate Ladies’ Village Club, and the Phoenix Group as well as by some nearby flats for their AGMs. However, there are times during the week when currently there are no bookings.

The charges

The inclusive hire charge of £10 per session – for a morning, or afternoon or evening is very reasonable.

If you would like to hire the Reading Room for a regular, or a one off meeting, please contact:  Mrs Lesley Sugden on 01303 254823