A much-loved former cinema is to be brought back to life. The iconic Curzon Cinema will be reinvented as a mixed-use venue for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and community groups.

The building, off Bowfell Road in Urmston, has been acquired by church organisation CRC which is set to repurpose the building that has been vacant for several years.

CRC is planning a phased refurbishment which includes a ground-floor coffee shop and office space on the second floor.

Meanwhile, the main auditorium and the Grand Lobby on the first floor will also be brought back to life.  

The church group is currently based on nearby Brook Road and says the building will be used for services on Sundays.

CRC is working with Brass Architecture which is drawing up plans due to be submitted to Trafford council’s planning department soon.

Brass co-founder Ricky Sellars said the upgraded cinema building would be ideal for meetings, classes, functions and events, as well as SMEs, community groups and local residents.

He went on: “Our proposals for the redevelopment of the former Curzon Cinema in Urmston will restore this treasured building to its former glory,” he said.

“It will be a community institution, a local destination, and a local icon. The building will be returned as a modern-day theatre.”

The future looked bleak for the building last year when developer Raynor Rowen scrapped plans to convert the building into 42 apartments following protests from residents.

Mr Sellars said the revised proposals were aimed at being of benefit to the community.

He went on: “We believe that the redevelopment of such community architectural assets should prioritize the needs of the surrounding population.

“Our proposals retain and restore the building’s heritage value while saving and reinventing the building fabric.

“The rejuvenated front facade includes playful aesthetics that pay homage to the building’s former use as a cinema.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that this building adds value to Urmston for future decades. We believe our scheme does.

“We believe that our proposals are a win-win for all, and we are proud to submit them for approval consideration.”