With news over the weekend that the council are again looking at ways to best use the old Haymarket Theatre, we thought it was time to put the question to the people of Leicester: just what should be done with the empty theatre?

Apparently the lease on the Haymarket Theatre costs the council £160,000 every year – and because they are tied into a 100-year lease on the building they still have around 60 years left!

Obviously this isn’t the best use of public money, but efforts to get the huge bill of the council’s books have so far failed.

The Haymarket Theatre closed back in 2007 and was replaced by the Curve. Since then the council have attempted to sell the lease for £500,000 – but failed to attract any bids. In 2014 a developer claimed they offered a £10 million investment to transform the building into a private medical facility with a 100-bed care home with rooftop gardens, a 24-hour surgery and a day nursery – but that was rejected by the council.

So what could the building be used for?

A few ideas include an indoor market, which would complement the Haymarket shopping centre and help to replace the stalls and businesses that were lost with the demolition of the old indoor market.

The Haymarket Theatre could also be put to good use in a more artistic and creative way – as a gallery space hosting exhibitions perhaps?

How about a cinema? Leicester is severely lacking in a an IMAX cinema venue, so maybe that could revitalise the old building?

What should be done with the old Haymarket Theatre?

It would be great to hear your thoughts on this matter, so please let us know what your ideas for the Haymarket Theatre building would be in the comments below…

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