Following its centenary in 2014, the Picture House Project was set up to improve the cinema’s accessibility and sustainability.

Thanks to support from the Heritage Fund, the 109-year-old cinema has been successfully restored and updated, reopening to the public on 30 June 2023.

The venue is at the heart of many fantastic stories for the people of Leeds, and even further afield.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Unique heritage features 

Over the past two years, works have included repairs to the façade and external lamppost and the restoration of original terrazzo flooring. 

The most unique aspect is the refurbishment of its nine gas lights, which will be lit for every screening. Hyde Park Picture House is the last remaining gas-lit cinema in the UK, and it is thought it could be the last one in the world.

Updating the past for the future

The project has introduced new accessible facilities, including a ramped entrance, café bar, Community Room, platform lift and wheelchair accessible toilet. 

The cinema also boasts a new 50-seat second screen, located in the cinema’s basement, so it can screen even more films from around the world.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at the Heritage Fund, said: “Hyde Park Picture House is absolutely a place to see captivating stories on the silver screen. The venue is at the heart of many fantastic stories for the people of Leeds, and even further afield. We can’t wait for the doors to reopen for the community to enjoy this special place once more and continue to build on that important heritage for future generations.”