A GROUP fighting to restore one of Huddersfield’s most cherished buildings, the Palace Theatre, have a crucial meeting today.

Members of the Palace Theatre Restoration Trust are trying to return the building to its original theatrical roots.

But they fear it may be the final curtain if the go-ahead is given to demolish the art deco music hall.

Moves were made by the Huddersfield Civic Society to save the theatre by making it a grade two listed building but they are still awaiting an appeal verdict.

Now a meeting is taking place today with Eddisons estate agents and the owners to discuss the building’s future.

It has stood empty for many months, after a nightclub closed. It had previously been used as a bingo hall.

Ellen Ball, founder of the Trust said: “It would be devastating if the theatre was turned into a car park.

“We aim to restore it to its full glory and bring out the beautiful, original art deco features.

“We would really like to drum up some support from the community because there is no other building like this in Huddersfield.

“Our plan is to transform it in to the People’s Theatre, so that there would be something for everybody.

“There is so much history in this building and we want to see it thrive again.”

The Palace Theatre was originally built as a music hall by Horsfall and Sons in 1909.

The auditorium which seats 1,614 was badly destroyed by a fire in January 1936.

Renowned architect, Ronald Satchwell then redesigned it in an ornate art-deco style.

The theatre remains one of his last surviving pieces of work.

Mother-of-three Ellen has spent the past nine weeks researching every last detail about the building and has even traced Satchwell’s family tree.

After contacting his grandson, the trust was given the rights to the original building plans.

The Huddersfield Civic Society have campaigned since 2007 to register the theatre as a grade two listed building in order to save the 1937 facade.

After receiving a poor report from English Heritage, civic society chairman Chris Marsden appealed to the Department of Media, Culture and Sport.

Mr Marsden said: “The civic society were not happy and we were very critical of the original heritage report.

“We have therefore appealed and are awaiting a decision from the DMCS.

“We are not too sure when the review will come but we do know that it needs to come sooner rather than later.”

If the appeal is successful, the Palace Theatre Trust can then begin to apply for funding from outside theatre and heritage groups.