The national advisory public body for theatres has contacted Bradford Council voicing concern over the future of the Little Germany Theatre, which is up for sale.

A letter by the Theatres Trust asks the Council to clarify future plans for the theatre, formerly Bradford Playhouse, and vowed to oppose any planning application involving a change of use of the venue.

The theatre went into liquidation this autumn, with debts of £300,000.

It is currently being operated under lease from the liquidator by Bradford company Be Wonderful Ltd, which is in talks with the Council and heritage and arts organisations to try and secure funding to buy the building and safeguard its future as a theatre.

In the letter to the Council, Theatres Trust planning and heritage adviser Mark Price noted the theatre’s value as both a cultural venue and a contributor to Bradford’s cultural strategy.

He added: “We would fail to see how the loss of this venue, without a replacement facility, would achieve your ambitions or objectives within your Core Strategy.”

Rob Walters, who runs Be Wonderful Ltd, said: “We have long believed in the potential of this Bradford institution and are delighted this has been echoed by the Theatres Trust.

“I hope the Council will respond positively to this intervention, and safeguard the building from being converted into offices or flats.”

Bookings are being honoured at the theatre, despite the building, valued at £370,000, being on the market.

Nobody from Bradford Council was available to comment.