Regarding your report (The Argus, September 20) about the fate of the Hippodrome, I too am alarmed by the imminent destruction which could be wrought upon this venue during its proposed conversion into an eight-screen cinema.

According to the Theatres Trust, this conversion would include the demolishing of the stage area which, in my view, would cause further damage to the beautiful listed interior, not to mention the damage caused to it by splitting it into eight separate cinemas.

We have already lost a Grade I-listed pier. Is the destruction of Brighton’s cultural heritage to go on apace? I agree with Peter Morris. We need a venue that could house tours by major ballet, opera and musical companies. The Hippodrome could then become a great addition to the facilities available to the Brighton Festival, bringing even greater recognition to the city.

Glasgow, a city with many fine theatres, has just restored its Panopticon. Why can’t we do the same with the Hippodrome?

Mjka-Anne Scott, chair, Brighton and Sussex General Branch of Equity