Save the Futurist campaigners say there is commercial interest in "stunning" Liverpool Lime Street site

Campaigners hoping to save the Futurist Cinema on Liverpools Lime Street say they are aware of commercial interest in the building - depending on its condition.

And today campaigners called on Liverpool council to allow them to enter the building with a surveyor to see for themselves the state of the old cinema premises.

Those fighting for the building to be brought back into use want to see if any internal damage is repairable.

The authority maintains the site, which is at the heart of expected regeneration plans, is too damaged to be completely saved but have said they will share structural information with campaigners.

The future of the cinema and its much-loved facade is in doubt as the site lies on part of Lime Street that is expected to undergo significant regeneration in the coming years.

Pictures on the website of developers Neptune, said to be merely illustrative rather than actual proposals, suggest the two pubs at either end of the development - The Crown and The Vines - will remain, but show a dramatic change in between, with student homes, shops and a hotel among possible new structures.

The council has confirmed it is looking to integrate a section of the existing Futurist Cinema facade into the design of any future development and has had positive discussions with the Save the Futurist campaign group.

But, with plans for the Lime Street regeneration expected to be submitted to planning chiefs soon, campaigners are hoping to go further and save the building, preferably bringing it back into commercial use.

Among their wishes is to be able to send representatives inside the site to see how bad its condition is.

Recently a huge banner calling for the building to be saved from demolition was placed on the building while more than 2,700 people have signed a petition backing the campaign.

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Save the Futurist campaigners say there is commercial interest in "stunning" Liverpool Lime Street site