The newly-restored foyer floor at Morecambe Winter Gardens has been revealed as more than 2300 people visited the theatre during its opening weekend of the season.
The Winter Gardens opened on Easter Saturday after restoration work was carried out on the floor over the autumn and winter months.
"Thank you everyone who visited this weekend - over 2300 over the Easter weekend and Monday," said a post on the theatre's Facebook page.
"Our Tombola Nana Lorraine (her grandkids' nickname) sends her thanks to everyone who bought donations in, they were much appreciated.
"Our wonderful organist Peter was overwhelmed with the enthusiastic applause and our tours were well attended.
"Keep on supporting, keep on donating or just visiting and we hope everyone could see the difference we’ve made with your contributions this past winter."
Restoration work has also been taking place on the staircase, ceilings and walls. (Image below from the Morecambe Winter Gardens Facebook page).
Restoration expert Michael Rieveley began work on restoring the mosaic foyer floor - designed in 1897 by the Campbell Tile Company - in October.
"There was a lot of damage and a lot of areas were missing," said Mr Rieveley, speaking to Beyond Radio last month.
"We tried to replicate as best we could, the original intention. In terms of conservation there is this idea that you should retain some of the historic record, so that's why some areas have been left.
"But once the covers are off, the overall impression is more or less what it would have looked like, when it was originally put down. There's a major improvement."
Michael Rieveley is pictured below.
Years of neglect, vandalism and damage meant the foyer floor had to be covered and protected, with fears that it would sustain more damage unless the work was carried out swiftly.
A £45,000 fundraising target was achieved following a campaign through the online platform Spacehive.
Restoration work is ongoing at the Winter Gardens, which closed in 1977 but has been able to reopen part-time in recent years thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, owners of the building on Marine Road Central.
Another stunning image from inside the Winter Gardens during Easter weekend by Duncan Robert Blair.
There are long-term plans for the 128-year-old theatre to fully reopen with capacity of up to 2,800, and further work is scheduled over the coming years.
Here is another photo by Duncan Robert Blair, taken inside the magnificent Winter Gardens auditorium during Easter weekend.
The theatre will be open at weekends for the rest of the 2024 season.
You can find more details on how to support the Winter Gardens here.
Award-winning coffee shop team open new sandwich shop in Lancaster
Owners of Lancaster cocktail bar to take over city centre pub
Lancaster and Morecambe MPs back new government Road Safety Strategy
Landlords’ forum will tackle Renters Rights Act and waste rules
Heysham 2 becomes UK's most productive nuclear power station ever
Lancaster hospital ward to close as health trust faces "significant financial challenge"
Retailer with store in Lancaster set for administration
Household food waste recycling set to return to Lancaster & Morecambe District
Crews called to fire at village hall
LISTEN: How Eden Project's new community garden will bring sunshine to Morecambe
Lancaster hotel to reopen under new name and ownership
Three horses rescued from Lancaster Canal
Heysham murder featured in TV documentary
Car dealership reveals plans for site of former Heysham pub
Record-breaking festive season announced for Grand pantos
Multi-million pound electricity network scheme begins in Bolton-le-Sands
Gritting teams work round the clock to keep Lancashire's roads moving
Morecambe pharmacy closes down
Arrests and police appeal after rise in dangerous use of bikes on Lancaster park
Warning after police order gang of youths out of Morecambe town centre
