Members of the public are being invited to apply for a place on the latest round of Spanish City tours.
A number of guided ‘hard hat and photography tours’ will be held at the iconic building on Whitley Bay’s coastline on 24 and 25 November.
Participants will be able to see for themselves and document the progress being made to restore the Spanish City to its former glory.
North Tyneside Council, in partnership with Robertson Construction and architecture firm ADP, is carrying out a major £10m restoration of the building.
Work got underway in September 2016 after a £3.47m National Lottery grant was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The restoration is due for completion in late spring 2018.
Recent work has seen the building’s exterior thoroughly cleaned before areas are rendered and repainted with a special system designed to repel water and keep the surface looking clean.
The interior is being completely redecorated in contemporary, tasteful, two-tone, neutral tones, which make reference to the original colours used inside the building and replace the old green paint to the dome.
Two new extensions are also progressing well - a new plant enclosure to the east and a west structure, which has included the installation of a concrete floor on the upper level.
Work to rebuild the lost loggia to the west wing is making good progress and will provide spectacular views across the coast.
And the work to replace the lost east loggia is underway and again will provide superb coastal views for the dining area.
Following completion of works, the venue will be run by Kymel Trading Ltd as a collection of leisure facilities, including a fine dining seafood restaurant and champagne and oyster bar with floor-to-ceiling windows.
There will be event space for weddings, corporate events and parties as well as traditional tearooms, a family-friendly fish and chip restaurant and takeaway and an ice-cream parlour. A range of public events will also be held, such as fairs, cinema screenings, tea dances and seasonal events.
Tours will take place on:
Friday 24 November - 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Saturday 25 November - 9am, 10am, 11am and 12pm
No more than 15 people will be allowed on each tour and places are chosen at random.
To apply, email SpanishCityDome@northtyneside.gov.uk stating your name, contact details, how many spaces you would like and which time spot you would prefer, by 15 November. Due to limited numbers, anyone who has attended a previous tour is asked not apply again.
Applicants are advised that disabled access is not available beyond the ground floor and any children must be supervised at all times. Sensible footwear must be worn.
More than 300 people have already enjoyed being taken on 16 previous tours held at the site since the work began, which have proved highly sought-after.
North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn said: “I am delighted that more even more people are being given the chance to see first hand the fantastic progress that is being made to bring the Dome back to life.
“I know that everyone who has been lucky enough to secure a place on one of the previous tours has been extremely complimentary and excited to see it becoming a reality.
“The restoration work is nearing its latter stages now and like most people I can’t wait to see the finished product.”
ENDS