OPENING a cafe in the foyer of Burnley’s former Empire Theatre could jeopardise plans to restore the facility to its former glory.

Burnley Council approved a temporary 10-year permission for the cafe in the Grade-II listed building, which has been vacant since it closed as a Gala bingo hall in 1995.

The Theatres Trust and Burnley Empire Theatre Trust had registered objections against the plans as they are still trying to revitalise the theatre.

The decision comes as a huge blow to the trust, the campaign group looking to restore and reopen the building, and to the future restoration of Burnley Empire.

Planning officers have recommended a three-year temporary permission for the cafe.

The trust’s view is that any work to this section of the Empire would hamper future public access to the theatre.

But council bosses say granting permission for the cafe will improve the look of the area and safeguard the main public entrance to the former theatre.

The trust had hoped the proposal would be rejected with at most a two-year temporary permission with any alterations to the building to be constructed so that they are fully reversible and do not harm the listed fabric of the building.

It was only after much discussion with council officers that the trust cautiously supported a temporary permission in principle to bring the foyer into use, while the longer-term future of the theatre was determined.

A trust spokesman said: “We made it very clear that permission for a period any longer than three years would not only be unacceptable to us, but would likely jeopardise the opportunity to restore the theatre as an asset for Burnley.

“Temporary permission of more than a few years is highly unusual, and we will be looking into how the committee’s decision making led to this outcome.

“The council’s backing of the planning application goes against their previous support for a restoration and reuse of the Empire.

“As reported at the Theatres Trust’s 2018 Theatres at Risk Register launch in January this year, political will and backing for this type of project is critical and without it major funders are highly unlikely to invest in a project.

“The council’s decision leaves Burnley Empire Theatre Trust with an enormous uphill struggle.”

to rescue the Empire, a building which could hugely contribute to Burnley’s evening and night-time economy, provide community and education use, and contribute to local job and skills creation.

“It is disappointing that the council have not recognised the real potential of this building which could provide Burnley and its new student population a vibrant cultural and historical focal point of which to be proud.”

The results of a viability study released last year showed the Grade II-listed building would cost more than £5million to be brought back to life.

At the time, Burnley Council bosses, who were seen as the only organisation financially able to take on the site, said the study did not bring a ‘compelling case’ for the authority to spend its money on the project.

The 1,200 seat venue has been out of use for more than 20 years.