THE campaign to bring a historic theatre back into use has won a £44,000 lottery grant to support the first steps of its restoration.

The cash will help the Burnley Empire Theatre Trust (BETT) improve knowledge of the building's structure and condition, The grant, from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will also pay for a study looking at viable future uses in light of town centre developments and establish a charitable organisation.

It will also pay for trustee training to provide the expertise needed to manage and develop the project.

In December Burnley Empire Ltd, a company owned by BETT, bought the theatre from The Duchy of Lancaster for just £1.

The news of the grant award is a major boost for efforts to restore and reopen the venue, the last surviving Edwardian theatre in East Lancashire, which has been on the Theatres Trust At-Risk Register since 2006 and empty since 1995.

Sophie Gibson, Burnley Empire Limited director, said: “This is fantastic news for the building and the town. This support will kick start the project towards restoration and help towards the journey to bring the Empire into 21st century use.

“It’s not going to happen overnight and a lot of hard work has to go on behind the scene before progress is visible. Thanks to the support and help from the National Trust the application was submitted at the beginning of the year.

“This grant shows that we are making progress and that the heritage and future use of the Burnley Empire is something to be valued and worth fighting for.”

Barry Kilby, Burnley Football Club Vice-Chair, said: “On behalf of myself, my son Stephen and the club I am delighted to see movement towards saving the iconic infrastructure of the building.

“The restoration of Burnley Empire Theatre would be extremely beneficial to the town and a fantastic asset to the local community.

“I can see a great synergy between the Empire and the football club.”

Claire Appleby, Theatres Trust Architecture Adviser, said: “We are delighted that the group has secured this funding. Burnley Empire Ltd has done a great job so far but this additional support will lay the foundations to move the project forward successfully.

"Whilst people won’t notice dramatic changes in the building itself, these are essential steps towards bringing the building back into good heart and once again allowing the public to enjoy this amazing space.”