Dome to open its doors to the public

10-MAY-10

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

The Spanish City Dome will celebrate its 100th year as an iconic landmark and well used building in North Tyneside by opening its doors to the public again.

North Tyneside Council is currently carrying out the final structural repairs to the Dome - immortalised in the 1981 Dire Straits song 'Tunnel of Love'.

That work is due to be completed by the end of the Summer and between September 9 and 12 - as part of the Heritage Open Days programme - the council will be inviting people to join escorted tours of the building.

But this is just part of a celebration programme that is currently being finalised by the council.

Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley said: "The completion of the structural repairs to the building, giving the building a long term future again, is one of the best things we can do to mark the centenary of this iconic building.

"However, we are also planning a programme of other events that will ensure that we celebrate this important anniversary throughout the year."

" For example we will stage an exhibition in the ground floor of the Dome that will not only celebrate the Dome's past, but also its future use with information displays from the short-listed developers about their proposals for the building. This will be offered alongside other cultural celebrations and other performances.

"We will be confirming the times and dates soon and hope that as many people as possible will join in the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Dome."

Heritage Open Days is the nation's biggest and most popular free celebration of architecture, history and culture. It is co-ordinated nationally by English Heritage.
And North Tyneside Council is a regular supporter of the programme, each year providing a number of venues that can help the public take a step back in time.

The Dome, which opened on May 14 1910, is an important example of the trailblazing construction techniques used in the past - as well as a landmark building.

When built it was the largest dome in the UK after St Paul's Cathedral.

And is one of the earliest examples of the 'Hennebique' patented system of reinforced concrete construction.

But the affection that local residents and visitors have for the building has developed from its popularity as an entertainment venue over the years'

It originally earned its name as The Spanish City' from a group of concert toreadors who performed on the site to a backdrop of scenes from Spain.

And it is particularly remembered as a popular fairground that attracted visitors from across the region to the seaside town, and as a ballroom.

However, many years of neglect and poor quality alterations by previous owners and deterioration since it closed have left the building in poor condition.

North Tyneside Council has therefore been working closely with English Heritage, with the support of funding from One North East, to not only ensure it is made structurally sound, but also returned as close as possible to its original design.

The final stage of the repairs include roof repairs, the strengthening of the roof terraces, so they can be used again by the public, and the final external treatment to the walls.

The copper 'terpsichorean figures' or Dancing Girls, which originally adorned the towers either side of the main entrance, have been cleaned and restored by specialist conservators in London and will be reinstated on the building ready for its opening to the public.

The copper lantern - made by Ewart and Son Limited of St Pancras, London who made the roof for Buckingham Palace - has been repaired and the missing four copper scrolls have been remade to match closely to the original design.

A new fibreglass flagpole has already been installed, which incorporates the remains of the original 1910 timber pole within the lantern and a lightning rod, which is a modern requirement to protect the building. The new flagpole is to the same height as in 1910, but considerably lighter.