A 1940s theatre which was "derelict and mouldy" is being given a new lease of life as bosses prepare to finally welcome back punters.

The Granville Theatre in Ramsgate – which first launched in 1914 – was forced to close following the outbreak of Covid three years ago.

Thanet District Council later took over the historic venue's freehold, before selling it to Matt Milchard and Zahra and Parisa Tarjomani for £125,000 in October.

The trio - who run Westwood One Theatre Ltd - say the site was derelict when they took it over, as it was filled with damp and asbestos.

"We started the renovation work in November," Zahra said.

"It was completely unusable when we got the keys; derelict, mouldy, disgusting and full of asbestos.

"The first thing we did was strip everything out to get rid of the smell and the damp.

"Then we started the internal alterations by removing some of the walls, doing the auditorium - it was two auditoriums but we made it into one - and now we're getting it all ready for the public."

The theatre is expected to employ up to 20 people, and will have a 600-seat auditorium.

Zahra says it will host "a variety of popular shows" as well as film nights and immersive screenings.

She thinks performers will take to the Granville's stage for the first time since 2020 in May. It will also be equipped with a café and bar when it re-launches.

And during the renovation, Zahra says treasures like an old piano and a 1960s carnival poster have been uncovered.

"I don't know why we decided to go to buy it," she added.

"But we love the theatre, we love what we do, and the opportunity came up, so we thought 'why not?'

"We’re really excited to bring back this theatre and see lots of happy families and locals enjoying the place."

The original Granville Theatre opened in 1914 as just an enclosure with a partial roof.

It was damaged beyond repair during the Second World War and a new theatre was built its place in 1947.

In May 2022, The Granville went on the open market after a community bid by not-for-profit organisation Kent Film Foundation was snubbed by the council.

The future of the historic venue was uncertain, until it was bought by Westwood One.