The revival of the Winter Gardens has been awarded a grant of more than three quarters of a million pounds towards repairs.
The Morecambe theatre has been granted £767,222 by Historic England.
This will be used for repairs to the structure and staircases as part of plans to increase the capacity of the Grade II* listed building.
The money has been awarded from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, a special one-year, £15m fund to help save historic sites in England.
A total of 37 projects from across England ranging from a medieval harbour in Penzance, Cornwall to a former coal mine in Northumberland, have been awarded money.
A Historic England spokesperson said: "These works provide an excellent opportunity to contribute to the ongoing volunteer-run and volunteer-led revitalisation of the building, which has also received funding from the Cultural Development Fund to bring back into use the circle and the gods.
"Repairs to the structure and staircases will be undertaken, allowing the building to increase its capacity and continue to develop its success as a centrepiece for community and cultural groups, promoting civic pride."
Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate England's spectacular historic environment.
The bid was supported by Lancaster City Council, The Theatres Trust and Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale.
Claire Appleby, Head of Theatre Buildings at Theatres Trust, said: “Morecambe Winter Gardens is a shining example of how Theatres Trust can work with Theatres at Risk on their journey towards revitalisation.
"We were happy to endorse MWGPT’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund application and are thrilled that this has been successful.
"The essential repairs funded represent a significant step towards the restoration and full reopening of the Morecambe Winter Gardens, which will ultimately enable more visitors to enjoy this wonderful theatre, its programme of entertainment, its heritage and architecture.”
Councillor Martin Bottoms, cabinet member with responsibility for Morecambe regeneration and local economy at Lancaster City Council, said: “The Winter Gardens is one of Morecambe’s most treasured landmarks and I’m delighted that it is being recognised with this investment.
"It marks a major step forward in securing the future of the building, not only preserving its unique heritage but also unlocking its potential as a vibrant part of Morecambe’s regeneration. We’re proud to support this project, Vanessa, and the dedicated volunteers who have championed the Winter Gardens for so many years.”
Ms Collinge said she was "thrilled see that Morecambe Winter Gardens has been given £767,222 by Historic England from their Heritage at Risk Capital Fund to increase its capacity and continue to develop its success, promoting civic pride.
"I supported this grant application, so I am pleased to see that the Winter Gardens will receive this investment, and will the beautiful building will continue to be brought back to life."
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chair of the building's owners the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, said: "We are delighted once again to secure funding for our beloved theatre and feel this is testament to the thousands of hours spent by the trustees and the volunteers maintaining, fundraising and opening our doors every weekend for the benefit of Morecambe.
"We as a trust now have raised over £5m in funding (since 2020) to restore the building of which each penny is invested back into the building to enable us to progress and every week the people of Morecambe and visitors to our resort can see the benefits.
"This funding award was especially significant as it was only through the intensive surveys and structural work completed through the Cultural Development Fund that the ongoing issues to the structure were discovered and this funding secures a long-term future for aspects of the circle and future developments into the Gods."
Contractors were recently appointed to build an extension at the iconic theatre on Marine Road and work to reopen the Circle overlooking the main auditorium and stage.
Reopening the Circle for the first time since the theatre closed in 1977, will help to increase the venue capacity from 970 to 1600.
Image credit: Duncan Robert Blair
Earlier this year, Lancaster City Council granted planning permission and listed building consent for the work.
This is the next stage of a comprehensive plan to repair and fully use the theatre - including 'the Gods' in the future.
The planning application was to demolish a former substation, build a part two/part three storey side extension, install a replacement window, doors and stage door at the back of the theatre, refurbish floors, ceilings, the Circle seating area and bar area, install a lift, and electrical and fire alarm systems.
Morecambe Winter Gardens was opened as the ‘Victorian Pavilion Theatre’ in 1897.
Since 2006, the Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, a volunteer-run group, has owned the theatre.
Restoration work has been taking place on the building for many years, and the theatre continues to open during the spring and summer months at weekends, and for one-off events.
Work has stepped up since March 2023, when the trust received £2.8m from Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF).
Along with smaller grants and matching funds, this financial support will enable the latest work to be carried out.
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