As a child living in Hove after the Second World War, my mother took me each week to the Hippodrome in Middle Street, Brighton – a true wonder of delights.

I saw all the great artists of the late variety period.

Then the theatre descended into gloom. Big touring companies now bypass Brighton, because it does not have a large enough lyric theatre. One by one, the theatres of Brighton have been demolished.

Where do we go now? The Mayflower in Southampton is an easy ride by train. The Congress in Eastbourne recently hosted a superb touring production of Cabaret. Chichester Festival Theatre often has West End-breaking musicals and dramas. I could go on.

Despite its festival, which holds little attraction for me, Brighton has become dull and grubby. Its council should take over the Hippodrome and return some form of glitter to the area. Eastbourne and Southampton seem to have success with their theatres – is Brighton too late to save itself?

Councillor Brian Coomber, Conservative, Adur District Council

Brighton needs a large theatre. True, it has the wonderful Theatre Royal – a jewel but too small for the larger touring shows now on the road.

There is no other sizable theatre: the Komedia is more of a cabaret and music venue; the Brighton Centre more for pop shows, and the Sallis Benney Theatre an excellent playhouse and lecture room.

At the moment, citizens have to go as far away as Woking and Southampton instead.

Does Brighton need another multi-screen complex? It has a gem in the Hippodrome and should be proclaiming this to the world. It deserves a good restoration of its historically important architecture.

Then future generations can say they are glad Frank Matcham’s Hippodrome was saved in its original format.

Terence Davis, vice-chairman of the Frank Matcham Society