HISTORY enthusiasts caught a glimpse of the iconic Art Deco architecture of a former 1930s cinema before the building closes its doors for renovation work.

Scores of people were treated to a tour of the former Majestic cinema, in Bondgate, Darlington, which is being brought back to its Art Deco glory by property developer, Devlin Hunter.

The project will see the building - first opened in 1932 - transformed into a leisure facility capable of hosting functions, live music and private parties.

Work has already begun on restoring and repainting the screen surrounds in the theatre in traditional Art Deco colours using oil-based paint, and Mr Devlin also plans to remove the vertical metal cladding from the front of the building which obscures its facade stained glass windows.

Darlington resident Lee Addison helped organise the tours online via the Facebook pages, The Majestic, The Future, and Darlington as it Looked 1880 to 1980, which has more than 7,000 members.

He said: “The response has been tremendous. We have had more than double the amount of people we were expecting.

“It is a truly impressive building and some of it has lain unseen for 40 years. It is great to see so many people interested in it.

“It is just something nice for the town and it’s nice to see something positive for a change.

“We have had a range of different people here today and some can remember what it used to be like back in the day.”

Mr Hunter is appealing for donations to complete the renovation work. For more information visit facebook.com/TheMajesticTheFuture