Restoration of the Brighton Hippodrome by Alaska Development Consultants, acting on behalf of Kuig and advised by Indigo Planning, has been given the go ahead by Brighton & Hove City Council.

The £18 million regeneration project will see the Grade II* listed, 'at risk' building back into use and secure its future by converting it into an eight screen Vue cinema, signature restaurant within the Dome itself and a second restaurant in the restored and refurbished Hippodrome House plus a new public square just off Middle Street.

Chris Moore, Development Manager for Alaska Development Consultants, said: "Following an exhaustive and comprehensive period of design development and planning consultations, we are delighted to be finally in a position to complete what we started over two years ago. Our aim has always been to preserve, restore and enhance this magnificent old building and now, with Brighton & Hove Council's consent, we can put our plans into action and bring this famous building back to life."

In agreement with English Heritage, all important historic fabric will be retained. The entire enclosure to the Hippodrome auditorium as well as its Middle Street elevation and the Hippodrome House façade will be preserved and restored to their former glory.

Simon Neate, Chairman of Indigo Planning, said: "These are sympathetic restoration plans that retain this wonderful building's most important historic features and ensure that it is no longer at risk.

"Should there be a workable plan to bring it back into use as a theatre again one day these changes to the auditorium can be reversed, but in the meantime the new cinema and restaurants provide the commercial certainty that will safeguard the Hippodrome's future and bring it back into use again."