Future of big screen in the balance as council considers its options

The city centre big screen could be sold off by the city council, the Mail can reveal today.

The screen was controversially bought by the authority's previous Labour administration four years ago for just under £700,000.

At the time, it was bought to coincide with the Athens Olympics after the council was unexpectedly offered the chance to buy a screen originally destined for Leeds city centre.

Although the screen has planning consent to remain in Queen Victoria Square until 2010, a sponsorship deal with electronics giant Philips ends next year.

City council leader Councillor Carl Minns admitted the screen's long-term future was in the balance.

He said: "I have always maintained buying the screen was not a sensible use of public funds.

"The original decision to buy it was rushed through in secret.

"Now, with both the sponsorship and the planning permission running out, there is a need for a proper debate over its future."

"Technically, I suppose it is a council asset as we own it.

"The options to be considered will include keeping it where it is, moving it to another location or selling it.

"Because of the time scales involved, the council will have to decide on its position over the next 12 months."