THE restoration of an historic theatre – where the Beatles played the night JFK was assassinated – takes a major step forward on Monday.

A false wall which has covered the front of Stockton’s art deco Globe Theatre will be removed to reveal the original wall.

It will then be examined and surveyed, to help architects decide what to plan next for the restoration, which will create a 2,500-capacity live music and comedy venue.

It is hoped the town will then attract big-name acts to draw in visitors.

Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Borough Council. said: “I am delighted that we can now see visible progress under way at the Globe.

“The age and condition of the building causes this to be an extremely complex project and a huge amount of preparatory work is required before the restoration can begin but this exploratory stage is a vital part of that.

“There has already been a great deal going on behind the scenes to clear the inside of the building and ensure it is safe and secure to allow preparatory work like this can take place.

“This is the first of many visible works people in Stockton will notice at the Globe over the coming months and a clear sign that momentum is building.

“We are already seeing early signs of this.

“Work has started at the former Manhattans site to create a boutique hotel with a bar-bistro, the Lambton Castle has been refurbished to a really high standard, the expansion of the Georgian Theatre began last month, we are seeing new micro-pubs and cocktail bars planned and a proposal for a Hilton Hotel was also recently announced.”

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has earmarked nearly £4m from the Heritage Enterprise programme to transform the venue and initially released £401,600 to support the development phase of the project.

Three months ago the council’s cabinet allocated £2.1 million towards the building and agreed that the local authority should take over the role of lead partner for the restoration project from the building’s owner, Jomast following discussions with the HLF which concluded that the scheme is likely to move forward more quickly by adopting a development model led by the Council.

The on-going preparatory and exploratory works will inform plans for the interior of the Globe which the Council will submit to the HLF as part of the second round bid next year.

Subject to HLF approval the remaining £3.5million will be released so the restoration can start next summer and the Globe should open by the end of 2018.