AMBITIOUS plans are in the pipeline to create a "modern museum" inside the Hippodrome theatre – if a bid for £5 million is successful.
The Derby Hippodrome Restoration Trust want to create an "archive of memories", put together from the people who used the former theatre in its heyday.
It is planning to apply for the cash from the Heritage Lottery Fund and hopes it will be a springboard to bid for millions more.
It would use the money to revamp the front of the building facing Green Lane – transforming the old entrance, box office and bar into space for performances, exhibitions and meetings, as well as a cafe.
Joan Travis, the chairman of the trust, said: "We want to record a diary or memories from the people of Derby who use the Hippodrome back in the 1950s.
"We have lots of information that we can use and have on display to show off the past. It's really exciting, we're hopeful for the future."
"We also want to turn it into a space for the community and open it up for people to come and see what the past was like for the Hippodrome – but also show the public what the future is going to hold.
"We want to make it a focal point for the city once again and we want the people who live in Derby to love it once again.
"We want to make it a modern museum, incorporating all the different things that the building has gone through."
The Hippodrome was damaged in 2008 during work ordered by its owner, developer Christopher Anthony.
Later, plans by Mr Anthony to turn it in to a car park and flats were rejected.
Derby City Council has spent £150,000 on court proceedings and safety works related to the site in the past five years.
At the moment, plans are being delayed because of the completion of an independent report on the future of the building. Once this is done, the bid can go ahead.
Chris Harris, committee member of the trust, said: "There is huge scope with what we will be able to do with the building, once is it has been restored to its former glory.
"We would like to see touring shows being performed, have social events in the cafe space and open the theatre up.
"There's a phenomenal amount of work to be done with renovations but we're confident for the future."
It has been estimated the total renovation costs will be about £20 million.
But the trust are hopeful the Heritage Lottery Fund would open up other pots of cash, from organisations like the Architectural Heritage Fund.
The Hippodrome opened in 1914, as a 2,000-seat variety house. In 1930, it was converted into a 1,800-seat cinema and then became a theatre again until 1959.
Three years on, it became a bingo hall but later ceased operations and, in 2007, was sold to Mr Anthony.
