Bradford's St George's concert hall is set for a multi-million-pound revamp to make it the showpiece of the city's cultural regeneration.

The Victorian gem already has a superb reputation for its architecture and fabulous acoustics but the project could put it on the world stage.

Bradford Council brought in expert consultants to study audience potential across the region with a view to establishing the city as a major concert venue.

After studying all the options - including a new purpose-built concert hall and the possibility of converting the former Odeon building - they concluded that the St George's Hall makeover had the greatest chance of creating sustainable commercial success.

The proposal, which could bring world-class stars to the city, is expected to cost between £5 million and £15 million, depending on the scale and reach of final plans.

The cost of building a new concert hall has been estimated at at least £60 million and engineering experts believe it would take more than £4.5 million simply to "mothball" the former Odeon, which has been empty for more than four years, until a new use could be found for it.

The Council's consultants have recommended expanding and improving St George's Hall because of its two significant strengths: its superb city centre location and its outstanding acoustics.

Bradford Council's director of arts, heritage and leisure, Jane Glaister, said: "Its acoustics are fabulous and it also has a huge architectural heritage value. We really want to build on its strengths.

"We will look at reconfiguring the 1,800 seats as 400 of them have restricted sight lines and at making it more comfortable.

"Also we could provide performance, workshop and studio space and better backstage access for the equipment associated with some shows."

"The outside will be cleaned up and set off with lights, while the disabled access is improved."

She said St George's Hall was "very much loved" by both performers and audiences.

"We hope it will become a concert hall that compliments others in the region - such as Leeds where the programme is mainly classical," she said.

"It's going to be a high quality, predominantly musical programme but a mix of pop, rock and classical.

"The consultants looked at a number of existing sites - including the Odeon - but also at the potential of a new build.

"The costs against market demand of all these other options didn't stack up."

The improvements will be paid for by external funding, including applications for Lottery grants.

As the 1853 building is listed, English Heritage will need to be consulted on any changes - both internal and external. But Miss Glaister said the council is confident solutions can be found.

Options to redevelop the hall include:

l Remodelling and expanding the public areas;

l Increasing comfort, floor space and access;

l Developing additional space for production and educational activities;

l Enhancing the external appearance.

Work will begin over the next few months to test the market for the concert hall, both locally and regionally - and future programmes will be consulted on.

The hall closed down for three months in 2003 after cracks were found in the ornate ceiling which needed more than £250,000 of repairs.

It attracts about 100,000 people through its doors every year.

The Council's executive member for regeneration and culture, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "A revitalised St George's Hall that meets the needs of 21st century performers and audiences, and provides workshop spaces for students and musicians, will play a significant role in positioning Bradford as Yorkshire's creative city."

St George's Hall has seen several generations of rock and pop acts take to the stage including Take That, Motorhead, the Stereophonics and Franz Ferdinand.

Its acoustic quality is also well-renowned in classical circles with The Black Dyke Band recording their most recent CD in the hall. In July a series of concerts by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will be recorded there as part of the Delius Festival being held in Bradford.