THE ICONIC Regent Theatre stands tired and dilapidated on the corner of Brisbane Street and Kable Avenue.
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The 1930's art deco treasure is the subject of a community effort to spruce the place up after Tamworth resident Courtney Carwood took to Facebook for ideas.
"I grew up going to this theatre and it was beautiful, the inside is actually quite nice and you don't see a lot of architecture like that anymore," she said.
"It would be great to see the facade put back the way it was, there's paint peeling and awnings starting to fall down."
Zachariah 'Jack' Kouvelis built the Regent Theatre in 1938, on opening night the double bill program featured Bobby Breen in Make A Wish and Tyrone Power in Love is News.
With features rare for even Sydney theatres at the time, The Regent had a soundproof cinema, air-conditioning, gas heating and a crying room for mothers.
Sold to cinema giant Hoyts in 1946, the theatre was eventually made into a four-plex until 2008 when it showed its last film.
And, the heritage-listed building has remained dormant ever since, owned by Melbourne businessman Andrew Ward.
Tamworth Regional Council's Heritage Working Group chair Juanita Wilson said because the building is privately owned the council has little control over what happens there.
"It played an important part in our history and it would be wonderful if it was retained for entertainment," she said.
"CBD shop-top living is something the council is really keen to encourage because it helps to establish a night time economy that provides choices, alfresco dining and entertainment for all ages.
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"The opportunity that a building like The Regent could provide could be critical to increase that vibrancy."
There's plenty of enthusiasm about the project and Ms Carwood hopes if enough noise is made it might turn the head of the owner.