Hyde Park Picture House on Brudenell Road in Leeds will finally open its doors to the public again today (Friday) after closing in 2020 for the £4.8m makeover.
The work has included a two-storey extension, creating a new 50-seater second room and restoring the interior.
The cinema first opened in 1914 and soon had a problem with groping men, so the story goes. The then owner installed gas lamps to deter would-be attackers - which have remained ever since.
A project to renovate the Leeds cinema began in 2014 on the centenary and the venue then closed in early 2020 so work could begin.
Now it will reopen tomorrow - with Wes Anderson's Asteroid City the first film being shown.
We took a visit to the historic venue to speak to those behind the project and take a look around, pictures of which you can see in our gallery below:
7. Independent films
The 109-year-old venue will focus on independent films but will still screen Hollywood blockbusters - if they fit the mould. Marketing manager Ollie Jenkins, 34: “We've sort of found our niche more in just championing and supporting independent films, which is obviously hugely diverse. "We sometimes show those bigger films as well if we feel like there's a value in us doing it. If we find there's like a different angle we can do on those big blockbusters, then we tend to do them.” Photo: National World
8. Audience involvement
Money for the refurbishment was provided by fans of the cinema and they were also consulted throughout the project. “There's just like a really lovely kind of energy at the moment from the community", said Ollie. Photo: National World
9. Film screenings
The first film to be played to the public after the reopening will be Wes Anderson's Asteroid City and an average of four films will be shown a day. Photo: National World Photo: National World
10. Projector room
Two film projectors dating back decades are in place, though the majority of films will be shown digitally. Photo: National World Photo: National World
11. Extension
As part of the new two-storey extension, a seated area has been installed where punters can enjoy a drink before or after the showings. The corridor also leads to the new 50-seater second screen, which is located in the basement area. Photo: National World Photo: National World
12. Film poster collage
Fragments of old film posters were found during the renovation and have been combined as part of a display. Photo: National World Photo: National World