THE final fundraising efforts of an East Finchley cinema are falling into place ahead of a major restoration project.

The Phoenix Cinema, in High Road, is in the last stages of collecting the £1.1 million required to renovate the building ahead of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

As the country's oldest purpose built cinema to be in continuous use, supporters are keen to maintain and improve the 1910 auditorium as well as bring back many of the 1930s art deco features both inside and out. There are also plans for more facilities including a cafe.

The fundraising began two years ago with applications for money from various public foundations and charitable trusts, which was boosted in July this year by a £600,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Those efforts have been followed up with a myriad of public fundraising events which have all contributed to the cinema finding itself just £125,000 short of its total.

Chief Executive of the Phoenix, Paul Homer, said: “The project is going to completely restore the cinema.

“We are aware the cinema doesn't look as good as it should and we want to recreate the past beauty the building had.

“There have been a lot of changes to the building over the years that have been out of keeping with the 1938 building and it's that art deco style that we are keen to bring back.”

The cinema has been hosting charity events to help raise money for the project, including the first public screening of a football feature film on Tuesday night.

The Gonner Review film was presented by comedian Paul Kaye, and featured interviews with fans, former players, journalists, and celebrities, some of who were in the audience.

The cinema has also written to members to ask for donations, with one benefactor pledging £25,000 towards the project, and Mr Homer admits they are approaching the final step.

“The response has been terrific,” he said.

“We've been delighted with people's response. This is very much the final push and we want the builders on site by January.”

To hit that deadline, he said they need to have the vast majority of the remaining money by the end of the month, adding they are currently waiting on some potentially large grants which would see them home.

And with the prestige the cinema has, Mr Homer believes it is crucial to carry out the work.

“To have the whole community behind it feels nice, and without people's willingness and support, it wouldn't have happened,” he said.

“We are incredibly fortunate a lot of people and businesses locally recognise the value of having a quality and independent cinema.

“We feel we are an important part of the community, and by doing this work we will be creating a space where people can come, sit, chat watch a film.”