THE former Odeon Cinema in Glasgow city centre could be transformed into a hotel, bar, restaurant and leisure complex.

Plans have been lodged with the city council to convert the building which has been lying empty since 2006.

Over the past decade, proposals have been drawn up for a number schemes behind the well known art deco facade of the property but none have got off the ground. These included a retail and leisure development and office space.

A report attached to the planning application says: "A rigorous marketing campaign has been pursued by property agents on behalf of the client.

"The strategy for the building has been reviewed given current market conditions.

"The main basis for the marketing campaign has been the structured and aggressive targeting of a variety of different uses for the property.

"This includes targeting occupiers directly, as well as covering all the main agents active in the Scottish leisure market.

"During the last 12 months, agents have undertaken regular campaigns circulating marketing details highlighting the property being available.

"Despite undertaking several viewings with potential interested parties throughout this period, unfortunately none of these parties have looked to take their initial interest any further."

The report says the main problems have been the configuration of the building and its location.

It adds: "Whilst the total size of the unit is fairly large, the individual floor plates are simply too small for the likes of gym and casino operators to trade from.

"Potential tenants have also expressed concern about the location, driven by the number of surrounding vacant buildings - letting of the site is difficult without neighbouring physical improvements underway."

The reluctance of banks to lend has also had an impact on demand from developers.

The report says: "Previously, this type of property would have been of interest to local bar/nightclub owner occupiers keen to acquire a flagship city centre outlet.

"However, with the level of capital required to fit out, combined with the actual purchase price, taking on this project will be too expensive for this type of operator."

At the start of this year, agents undertook a number of new marketing campaigns in a bid to find someone to move in.

The report adds: "The marketing effort over recent months has been focused on targeting quality hostel/hotel operators which there appears to be a demand for in Glasgow city centre.

"This is an emerging market and the client is currently in discussions with approximately six main operators.

Built in 1934 as the Paramount music venue, the Odeon attracted some of the biggest names in the music business including The Beatles, the Who, Cliff Richard, Dusty Springfield, Roy Orbison with the Rolling Stones.

The building was converted into a 2800-seater cinema in the late 1960s.