MULTI-MILLION pound action is being recommended to Scarborough borough councillors this week to redevelop two of the town's landmarks.

The seafront Futurist Theatre, which occupies one of the prime sites on the Yorkshire coastline, is to have its potential for development expanded after the owners of neighbouring properties agreed to be part of the deal.

Derek Rowell, the council's technical services director, said the 2,100-seat theatre would be marketed with the adjoining Mermaid Bar - the former Arcadia Theatre - shops and flats following a report by surveyors and valuer Christie and Co, which is acting for the authority.

In addition, he said the interest of potential developers in the site would be enhanced if it was made even larger by taking in the council's King Street car park.

However, calls by Scarborough Hotels' Association for the theatre to be refurbished have been ruled out as being unviable.

Hopes of it becoming a multiplex cinema have also been ruled out because of the lack of on-site car parking.

Mr Rowell said that once the theatre closed, Scarborough's entertainments would be concentrated at The Spa complex.

The council's cabinet is being recommended to approve a nationwide marketing campaign by Christie's, and to extend the development site to include the car park, The Mermaid, shops and flats.