The Turner Contemporary, the Margate gallery that has supported 130 jobs and brought £20 million to the East Kent economy, is on course to welcome its one millionth visitor.

The milestone, expected to be celebrated in August, just two years after it opened. has been welcomed by Kent County Council, the principal funder of the £17.4 million gallery.

Mike Hill, KCC’s Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “We are tremendously proud of the success to date of Turner Contemporary. A million visitors is an exciting achievement and we congratulate the Turner Contemporary Trust and the gallery director on reaching this figure.

“We were determined to keep to our promise and build a landmark building which would boost the area and be a catalyst for regenerating East Kent. It has created jobs, encouraged new businesses to the town and will go on to be a lasting legacy to driving the development of the county and the south east.

“It has already brought well over £20 million into the local economy, and has also supported 130 jobs in the gallery and across the community.”

KCC contributed £6.4million towards the cost of the three-storey building, which was designed by renowned architect David Chipperfield and built at a total cost of £17.4 million on land donated by Thanet District Council. As well as providing a top quality gallery and community building, it was designed to promote economic regeneration.