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Leicester's Haymarket Theatre could be used as a venue for e-sports events - if a £3 million project goes ahead.

A consortium is currently working on plans to reopen the theatre, which has been closed for a decade, as a music and performing arts venue.

The team behind the city council-backed plan has revealed it is negotiations with the world's largest e-gaming company ESL to hold events in the restored 800-seat auditorium.

Enthusiasts would buy tickets to watch professional gamers play on a big screen and the theatre would be decked out according to which game was being played.

(Image: Alex Hannam)

This could mean decoration relating to shoot-em-up games or sports titles.

The aim would be to set up a television studio where pundits would give a Match of the Day-style commentary on the gaming.

The events would also be streamed online.

Consortium member Chris Knight said: "The world-wide gaming industry is huge.

"It was half-a-billion pounds last year and will double this year.

"We have a venue here which we think would be ideal for e-sports events.

"We could create a great atmosphere."

Colleague Jed Spittle said: "We would be looking at perhaps one e-sports event a month depending on demand.

"It's a growing industry.

"To begin with we will be mainly a music venue but e-gaming is another string to our bow.

"We want the Haymarket to be open to as many people as possible from as many walks of life."

In June Leicester's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby announced the city council would back the project to the tune of £2.2 million to restore the venue.

It had previously been entirely stripped bare with its seats removed.

Now, Sir Peter has said the project will cost £3 million.

"We want to get this right and squeezing the costs and paring back the refurbishment could jeopardise the long-term success of the project," he added.

"By investing capital we can remove the huge revenue cost I inherited with the Haymarket when I became mayor.

"When Curve opened to replace it there was never a clear idea of what should be done with the Haymarket.

"There was a half-baked plan to turn it into a youth hub that came to nothing.

"The people behind the consortium are very credible and have a good business plan that will transform the Haymarket Theatre from a huge burden to a great asset for the city."

The council and the consortium are now discussing a potential profit-sharing deal in recognition of the authority adding additional investment.

Sir Peter said: "There is a recognition that if this proves to be the great success we think it will be there should be some additional return for the people of Leicester."

The consortium had hoped to open by Easter this year - to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the theatre's closure - but no contractor has yet been appointed and the opening will now more likely be towards the end of the year.

Tory opposition councillor Ross Grant said: "Now we are being told the cost of the project to the council has gone up by 50 per cent and will be delayed.

"These things look so simple to begin with but become more and more complex and expensive.

"The mayor has got so deeply in with this that he can't do anything but support it.

"He is politically committed because it would be embarrassing if it does not succeed.

"I warned before the expense to the council could balloon and guess what? It has happened."