Stockton's Globe Theatre to get £4m revamp
- Published
A £4m project to restore a rundown music venue on Teesside has been approved by council bosses.
Stockton's Globe Theatre opened in 1917 as a cinema and because of its 2,370 seating capacity later attracted major music stars like The Beatles.
But the venue closed in 1993 after being used as a bingo hall since 1977.
Stockton Council said the theatre's two-year restoration would create the largest indoor auditorium between Leeds and Newcastle with a capacity of 2,500.
The project already has planning and listed building consent and contractors are expected to move on site in April.
The restoration will see an upgrade and installation of new seating, a new bar, catering and washroom facilities and converting an adjacent vacant property into a cafe bar.
Historic features
Stockton Council said the project would create 23 new permanent and 72 construction jobs.
The authority estimates it will attract about 82,500 visitors a year and boost the local economy by £2.5m.
Bob Cook, the council's cabinet member for regeneration and development, said: "The restored Globe Theatre will be more than simply a magnificently restored building.
"Our investment will safeguard the building's historic features and be a major step forward in regenerating Stockton's town centre."
The final music performance at the theatre saw the London Philharmonic Orchestra play in early 1975, before the doors finally closed in 1996 after two decades as a bingo hall.