Restoration work for historic Leeds cinema Hyde Park Picture House to begin in April

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 project will also improve access at the Edwardian venue and upgrade it to modern standards. The work is expected to take around a year to complete.

It will include repairs to the gas lamps, Burmantofts tiled facade, original flooring and exterior lamp-post. A new entrance ramp, disabled toilets and expanded foyer will be added.

A major addition for customers is the opening of an entirely new screen with 52 seats in the basement to increase capacity.

During the construction work, films will be screened instead at venues across Leeds once restrictions are lifted.

The Picture House has already received £2.3million from the Lottery in 2018.

Head of cinema Wendy Cook said: “After a challenging period of prolonged uncertainty, we’re over the moon that work on The Picture House Project is finally about to begin. Not only will this project revitalise and safeguard a building that so many of us love, but it will allow the cinema to become a more inclusive venue, welcoming new audiences thanks to an expanded film programme, huge improvements to accessibility and new community-focused activity for visitors young and old.”