The Grade II-listed building dates back to 1914 and is the country's only surviving gas-lit cinema. It was awarded a £285,600 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Culture Recovery Fund to allow much-needed redevelopment to continue despite extended closures and reduced income. The multi-million-pound scheme will safeguard the cinema’s nationally significant heritage, including repair and conservation of its unique gas lamps, Burmantofts-tiled facade, original terrazzo flooring and Grade II listed exterior lamppost. Work is set to start in April. News of the latest funding follows a £2.3million National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, awarded to the Picture House Project 2018, as well as crucial support from Leeds City Council, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the British Film Institute and others.
3. Basement screen
A major addition for customers will be the opening of an entirely new screen with 52 seats in the basement to increase capacity.
4. Model
Mark Johnston, Lead Architect at Page\Park, said: "As architects who specialise in renewing heritage buildings, our aim, every step of the way, is to preserve the cinema’s history and character which we know are so important, whilst sensitively introducing new elements which allow the building to work for audiences in the 21st century."
5. Entrance Foyer
The project has been designed by award-winning architects Page\Park and will take around 13 months to complete.
6. Entrance Foyer
The Picture House Project - the name of the cinema’s upcoming redevelopment scheme - has been delayed for 10 months due to the pandemic.