Bradford's old Odeon cinema could be demolished to make way for a major leisure development and hotel.

The London-based development company, which bought the distinctive building in a high speed deal after its closure in July, is considering a new multi-million pound scheme to replace it

But the new building, on one of the city's most prestigious sites, could feature domes and towers to echo the old cinema and maintain the distinctive skyline.

Its demolition could be approved by Bradford Council without the need to send the planning application to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions because no part of it is officially listed as historic.

But the disappearance of the huge building with its distinctive facade would dramatically change the cityscape, especially if controversial plans to pull down towering Provincial House also succeed.

Today, Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King, who like thousands of other Bradfordians was a regular visitor to the Odeon, which started life as a theatre, said: "It is very sad. I believe many people in Bradford will have mixed feelings about the demolition of the Odeon. It has been part of their lives. They will be watching closely to see what happens. It is part of the history of the city. If it is to be replaced it must be something worthy of the city centre."

David Haigh, chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensing Association, said: "It is a landmark and I would hate to see it go. I hope they will save the facade in the way they did a very sympathetic development of the Alhambra."

The developer, Grange Estates, headed by managing director David Lewin, has also bought several other Odeon cinemas in the south of England where it has been involved in a number of leisure developments.

The company's agents Knight Frank in Leeds, also represent Leeds & London holdings which is redeveloping the Glydegate site for leisure, close to the Odeon.

Knight Frank partner Alex Munro said Grange Estates saw it as an important and exciting opportunity to link in with the thriving pub and leisure scene in the West End of Bradford.

He said the first floor of the building also gave an opportunity for a nightclub, but no firm plans had been made for one.

Mr Munro said: "It is very early days. They are looking at a new building, while retaining the existing characteristics, particularly the towers, which are very striking. There is also a suggestion that the facade should remain. Glydegate is being developed nearby and we want the same quality of scheme."

He added that there were proposals for restaurants, bars and a hotel, but the busy position of the building made it unlikely that part of the buildings would be developed as apartments.

"We feel that Bradford has a lot to offer and this is a very big building," said Mr Munro, who added that the company hoped to submit a full planning application to the council in the New Year.

Odeon shut Bradford's only city centre cinema when it opened a multi-screen development in Thornbury, Bradford.

A multi-screen cinema is also part of the Vicar Lane leisure scheme which is under construction but it will be months before it opens.

When the Odeon building opened as the New Vic in 1930 it was described as the "wonder cinema of the north" and was one of the largest places of entertainment in the country, seating 3,310 people. It was a combined cinema and theatre, with a massive stage 70ft wide and 45ft deep.

In size it was only exceeded by the giant Trocadero at the Elephant and Castle in London and Green's Playhouse in Glasgow.

In the 1950s it was renamed the Gaumont but when Bradford's original Odeon cinema in Manchester Road was demolished in 1969, it was divided up to become the Odeon twin cinemas.