Arts Council England's Capital Investment Programme has contribute £450,000 towards the first phase of a £15 million project of restoration and repair to the grade II* listed Blackpool Grand Theatre, designed by leading Victorian theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1894.
The ACE grant is to repair stonework, replace and repoint damaged brickwork, restore the Victorian iron rainwater goods and replace large areas of slate and lead on the two acres of roof to ensure the safety of the building and allow public access to parts of the theatre which have previously been inaccessible for some years.
The theatre's Chief Executive, Adam Knight, said, “we are hugely grateful to the Arts Council for this significant and very timely investment in our heritage building, which has been struggling to cope with the impact of climate change and recent Irish Sea storms.
“This funding will also return the theatre’s famous dome and iconic pineapple finial to their former glory and enable us to use the funds that were generously donated by the community. This is just the beginning of the journey to restore Frank Matcham’s masterpiece!”