The cinema was refurbished to its original state in 1961

The Wrexham Hippodrome, which dates back to 1909, has been sold to Cheshire property developers who plan to turn it into retail space.

However, a group of local residents are trying to persuade Cadw, the organisation which protects historical Wales, to grant it Grade II listed status.

They say a number of famous people have performed on its stage.

"We know Gracie Fields appeared there around the time of the First World War," said Matthew Price, one of the committee members trying to save the building.

The Majestic cinema is now home to a pub

Entertainer Arthur Askey and comedian Ken Dodd have also appeared in the Wrexham auditorium.

As did musical hall veterans, comedians Leslie Henson, and Harry Corris, Arthur Prince the ventriloquist, and comic singer Nellie Wallace.

At one time there were five music halls, or cinemas as they became, in Wrexham.

These included the Majestic cinema, now the Elihu Yale pub and the Empire which is the Seven Stars public house.

In November last year the former Empire cinema, itself a Grade II listed building, was declared surplus to requirement by Wrexham Council.

History

The Empire opened its doors on 1 April 1902, seven years before the Hippodrome, and had a mixed act of variety shows and short clips of early newsreels.

Customers on that opening night were shown the funeral of Queen Victoria and clips of the Boer War.

Campaigners hoping to save the Hippodrome argue that the town cannot lose its history and if Cadw can be persuaded that the building is of local importance, it could be saved.

"Last week a Cadw historic building inspector carried out a full inspection of the site along with the owner and independent AM John Marek," said a spokeswoman for the organisation.

"Listed building status is currently being given careful consideration and the final report will be published next week," she added.

The Opera House, as it was known 95 years ago was first advertised in the Wrexham Advertiser newspaper on 1 July 1909.

Arthur Askey is believed to have appeared in Wrexham

Four years later, in July 1913 a new company, The Wrexham Hippodrome Ltd, was registered.

The stage was occupied regularly by travelling companies who lodged in the town for a week.

Then, on 9 September 1929 the Hippodrome showed the first sound film in Wrexham.

It was renovated to its original state in 1961.

Since then it did not looked back and stayed a cinema until 1998 when it closed.

Now a group of local people want to turn the elaborately decorated building into a media centre for the whole of the community.

"It's a wonderful building," said Matthew Price.

"It was built as a music hall and it could be utilised for performing arts.

"We'd like to see film and drama students use it and have a theatre there along with a cinema for cinematic and animation training," the 32-year-old added.

He said: "It's in need of painting but apart from that it's how it would've been in 1909 when it was built, including its elaborate plastering."

The group want to hear from anyone who may have press clippings which prove the historic importance of the building.

They will then pass the findings on to Cadw by next Wednesday for Inspectors to decide whether the building is worth saving.