A former theatre in central Brighton has been smashed into rubble after fans failed in their battle to save it.

Once arts-lovers flocked there in their thousands. Today it is a pile of rubble.

The Imperial Theatre of the Forties became the Essoldo cinema in the Fifties. In the Sixties it was a bingo hall and more recently theme bar Jumpin Jacks and Hotshots.

But throughout its chequered history the building was a feature of Brighton. Now developers have taken this small slice of history and razed it.

Last year objectors lost their battle to save the empty entertainment venue and have it turned into a lyric theatre.

Theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh hoped to expand his empire into Brighton so opera and musicals could be staged.

But yesterday the bulldozers moved in and demolished any lingering hopes of a reprieve.

Selma Montford, secretary of the Brighton Society, said: "It is very sad seeing it like this and I think it will be even sadder when we see what is going to replace it.

"The stocks were loaded against us this time as it was difficult to find a viable use for the building and also because there had been some internal alterations. However, it is very sad it has gone.

"I also think there is a risk other historic buildings in Brighton will go the same way. It is not inevitable, but it is a risk."

A spokesperson for English Heritage added: "We have known for a while this was going to happen, however it sad to see it finally go. We do believe the building was of historic interest and would liked to have seen it saved."

When it opened as The Imperial Theatre in 1940 there was seating for nearly 2,000 theatregoers. It staged both plays and variety shows.

It converted to a cinema in 1950, when it became the Essoldo.

It was changed to a bingo hall in 1964 and was subsequently bought by Rank and turned into the theme bar Jumpin Jacks and Hotshots.

Now Simons Estates plans to build three large shop units and 14 homes on the site.

Sir Cameron, who lives in Lindfield and was responsible for presenting some of the biggest stage hits in recent years, such as Miss Saigon and Les Miserables, campaigned hard to get the old 1,877- seat theatre reopened as a lyric theatre for touring companies.

The region between the Kent coast and Southampton and south of the Thames estuary currently has no major theatres capable of staging these kind of productions.

The Theatre Royal is too small for large-scale shows and even the restored Dome would not be able to accommodate them.

Brighton and Hove City Council previously had a policy of preserving the Essoldo and even acquired land at the back to extend the stage and theatre area.

Converting the building into a proper lyric theatre would have cost £5.65 million, whereas to build such a theatre from scratch would cost about £40 million.

Architect John Muir, a trustee of the Theatres Trust, prepared plans for the theatre in 1994.

He said no other conurbation in Britain had a building of this nature ready and waiting to be used and urged the council to take advantage of it.

Others campaigning to keep the building included the Brighton Society, the Regency Society, English Heritage and the Cinema and Theatre Association.

However, the council was keen to improve shopping in North Street and the Simons Estates' plan was backed by the council's architects' panel and the Brighton Business Forum.

Planning officers said there was no persuasive evidence submitted to demonstrate the viability of restoring the Essoldo as a theatre.

In addition there was a need for large retail space in Brighton and Hove. All the new units are believed to have been pre-let.