THE New Empire Theatre could be turned into a cinema or a gym.

It is on the market for £1.5million, and estate agents have revealed both a cinema operator and a leisure group are keen.

The theatre, in Alexandra Street, Southend, was put on the market in October.

Now Patrick Gillies, the director of Ayers and Cruiks, the estate agent handling the sale, said there could be good news in the pipeline. “Discussions with both parties are at an early stage and I cannot name them yet.

“We are offering a substantial town centre property, which can already be used as a theatre or cinema and, subject to planning permission, has many other possibilities.”

The prospect of the building being used for leisure delighted Tony Cox, the councillor responsible for culture.

He said: “Bringing back buildings to their former glory is something we always encourage and want to do across the community.”

The news has been greeted with enthusiasm by film group White Bus, based in North Road, Southend. Spokesman Paul Cotgrove said: “We wanted to turn the upstairs into a cinema for community use. Although that never came off, I still think it would be a very viable theatre or cinema for Southend.

“We had more than 2,000 people at the last Southend Film Festival, which shows there’s a need for this kind of thing.”

The Southend Association of Voluntary Services is based opposite the theatre. Its spokesman Chris Silvey said: “If it’s going to be for the community then that’s brilliant, as it will bring jobs with it.”

Built in 1896, the New Empire has a chequered history. In 1997 it was sold by cinema operators ABC to Richard Shea, and rented by the New Empire Theatre Company. They left in 2008 after a rent dispute.

In October last year, Mr Shea, the owner of two nightclubs in Southend, first put the building on the market.