Our Brighton Hippodrome’s plans for restoration of the Hippodrome, pictured below, are to create a flexible arena for live performance from conventional stage plays to circus.

The scheme is described in a business plan that the city council is currently considering as an alternative to the planning application for restaurants, retail and a cinema.

This is the alternative and preferable option that councillors were told did not exist.

Although obviously some music events could be staged there, the Hippodrome would not be a concert hall and indeed it never has been, contrary to the statement in your article about the Save Our Hippodrome rally (Argus, November 10).

The city already has a fine concert hall at the Dome and OBH has no intention of competing with it. Indeed, we believe that the two would complement each other, especially during Brighton Festival.

The Hippodrome could receive major international theatre, dance and opera companies for which there is at present no suitable venue in the city.

Our Brighton Hippodrome has demonstrated that theatre restoration is viable, fundable and sustainable. There has been massive public support for the project.

You recently quoted Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the council’s economic development and culture committee: “Having first-rate cultural facilities [is] not only a vital means of attracting visitors but also in making the city more attractive to investors.

“The kind of companies we’re trying to attract, offering high-skill, high-wage jobs also demand a rich cultural scene.”

We couldn’t agree more.

David Fisher

Campaign manager

Our Brighton Hippodrome