Engine Works Park officially open in Margate — first site in national innovation-hub rollout

The official launch of Engine Works Park, Yeats’s flagship commercial and innovation scheme in Margate, was marked on Thursday 8 May with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Councillor Leo Britcher, Deputy Mayor of Margate.

The 126,000 sq ft scheme delivers 59 high-specification SME units ranging from 1,500 to 5,100 sq ft across a four-acre site at Continental Approach, Westwood Industrial Estate — the former Cummins plot that had sat derelict since a 25-day blaze destroyed the original factory in 2018.

Engine Works Park is the first site in a multi-million-pound programme to roll out a chain of innovation hubs across the country, backed by Irish entrepreneur Niall Molloy.

A scheme designed for ambitious businesses

The launch event welcomed representatives from Kent County Council, Thanet District Council, East Kent Chamber of Commerce, Margate Creative Land Trust and the local business community. Guests were given an introduction to the vision behind Engine Works Park, followed by a drinks reception and guided tours of the newly completed units.

The scheme brings together industrial, logistics and office uses within a single, well-connected location, designed to provide high-quality, adaptable space for a diverse range of occupiers. Each unit features split-level layouts, super-fast broadband, three-phase electricity, solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging.

Today marks an important milestone for Margate and the wider South East. Engine Works Park has been carefully designed to meet the needs of ambitious businesses looking for high-quality space in a strategic location. We are proud to deliver a scheme that supports economic growth and strengthens Margate’s commercial offer.

John O’Neill, Managing Director, Yeats

We took a big risk but we are building high-grade commercial and industrial units, and this area deserves that — the demand is there to fill these spaces. This area is on an upward trajectory and that has given us confidence to risk our capital here.

Niall Lawlor, Yeats

A site with a rich industrial heritage

The site has a long industrial pedigree. The Hilger and Watts factory opened on the plot in 1964, with then-Secretary of State for Trade — and Broadstairs man — Ted Heath performing the honours. The £300,000 factory (around £7m in today’s money) manufactured high-tech instrumentation for the analysis of steels and chemicals and exported worldwide, employing hundreds of engineers, physicists and other skilled workers. The premises was later taken over by Cummins Engines, the diesel engine manufacturer that Engine Works Park takes its name from.

Construction of the new Engine Works Park began in January 2025 under principal contractor South East Steel.

What’s next

Engine Works Park is now open and units are available to let. Further information at www.engineworkspark.com.

Coverage of the launch in The Isle of Thanet News. Press images by Louis McLaren.