CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating news that Harrogate's Royal Hall theatre will be saved and restored to its former glory.
The Government's funding agency Yorkshire Forward is making almost £4m available to Harrogate International Centre, which runs the town's conference and exhibition centres along with the Royal Hall. Part of the money will help to restore and refurbish the Royal Hall and the rest will be used to expand conference facilities.
Chairman of the Royal Hall Restoration Trust Lilian Mina welcomed the announcement saying she was delighted.
Late last year, the theatre was closed when a major ceiling collapse made it unsafe for the public. Earlier, the theatre's upper circle was closed on safety grounds.
The restoration project will cost £11.2m, with almost £7m coming from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
The renovation is not expected to start for a year, but is expected to be completed by summer 2006.
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