[1] Till July 2018 the building was owned by Saleem Hakim, who had plans to turn the front of the Theatre into an alfresco dining area.

[3] A decision to issue a compulsory purchase order (CPO) on the site was made by the Hull City Council in October 2014, when the plans failed to materialise.

[7] In March 2016, Hull City Council refused an application by the owner to create an outdoor dining area in what used to be the building's main auditorium.

The owner had wanted to use the land in conjunction with a new Indian restaurant, due to open next door at a neighbouring pub.

[8] In May 2016, the Hull City Council issued a compulsory purchase order on the building, allowing them to buy the land with or without the owner’s permission.