One of Aberdeen's most important landmarks has taken a significant step forward in its bid to secure funding from the Green Township Heritage Initiative (THI).

The Tivoli Theatre, which opened in December 1872 (34 years before His Majesty's Theatre opened) and finally closed its doors in 1997, by which time it was used only as a bingo hall. Since then the building has fallen into serious disrepair and been placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.

The property was bought by local businessman Brian Hendry, chairman of the Tivoli Theatre Management Company, in July 2009, who pledged to repair the building and bring it back into use.

The Tivoli is a Priority Project of the Green THI with funding of up to £520,000 available to undertake comprehensive repairs to the external fabric including the roof, rainwater goods, masonry, windows and doors. The funding will also aim to reinstate much of the architectural detail on the Guild Street elevation that has been lost over the years, including restoring the original cast iron canopy on the Grade A listed building.

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The Green THI is a five-year conservation-led programme aimed at restoring Aberdeen's historic Green to its former glory.

It was set up to tackle the problems of rundown historic buildings and streetscape where longstanding economic and structural decline have undermined the character of the architecturally rich area.

Mr Hendry has met the condition of demonstrating a realistic prospect of a viable re-use of the building, which means his funding bid has taken a significant step forward.

He proposes to restore the interior and bring it up to 21st century standards providing a mid-scale 450 seat auditorium, complemented by new rehearsal spaces, dressing rooms, dance studios/gymnasium, theatrical museum and café/bar, with additional retail, leisure and business spaces.

Green THI board chairman Councillor John Stewart said: "The proposals are an imaginative and positive step that will secure the long-term future of this nationally important building which has been at risk for some years.

"Brian Hendry and the shareholders in the Tivoli Theatre Company should be commended for their approach."

The Tivoli is an outstanding and rare, near intact example of a Victorian theatre. It has a distinctive and striking entrance façade and an excellent interior decorative scheme. The building is the product of two renowned theatre architects, CJ Phipps and Frank Matcham.

(GK)