Theatre facade impresses two experts as decision day looms

Consultants Richard Gray and Eva Branscome from the Cinema Theatre Association toured the famous seaside site to gauge its historic and original features.

They were shown around the theatre following a request from English Heritage to provide further information for potential listed status for the building and spent an hour scrutinising it.

The theatre is threatened with the final curtain after a leading consultant warned that it would be "commercial suicide" to try to save it and would only waste millions of pounds of council tax-payers' money.

Scarborough Council's Futurist Task Group is undertaking a consultation process over its future. Councillors are due to deliver a verdict on the long-term future of the site next month.

Ms Branscome, the Theatre Association's architectural and historical adviser, said: "English Heritage had contacted us for our view on the Futurist. I haven't been to the Futurist before and I don't think Richard had either, but one of the things that most impressed me about the theatre was its facade.

"It would be great if that cladding could come off so that the public could see what a fantastic building is behind. That would certainly contribute to the street and be a positive attraction for Scarborough and internally the theatre also had a lot of nice and original features."

The visit followed a previous assessment from English Heritage consultant Eric Branse-Instone.

Diana Tasker, who formed an alternative task group said she was hopeful the visit would act as a positive sign for the theatre.