[2][3][4] The theatre was sold in 1957 to Essoldo Cinemas, opening on 21 January of that year with the film Love Me Tender.

In June 2023 the new owner submitted plans to convert the theatre to contain a hotel, residential rooms, and features including a gym, bar and an events space.

The current scheme proposes loss and harm to the historic fabric without providing adequate detail or information to justify it.

[6][7] Tom Clarke, Theatres Trust's National Planning Adviser, wrote: "It is hugely disappointing that planning permission has been granted without taking into consideration our concerns, and those of Historic England, who also objected to the scheme...."[8] The theatre, on the corner of Lord Street and Kingsway, is built of brick with dressings of Portland stone and concrete.

There are shops at ground level, above which there are tall windows, decorated with bands of an Art Deco design; above the curved corner there are fluted stone pilasters.