PROBLEMS with alternative uses for the Piano Building were outlined to district planning boss Mike Parker in a letter by David Lewis, of developer Centros Miller, last September.

A public arts centre or theatre "was considered" and a study commissioned by Wyre Forest District Council concluded the building was "not suitable for conversion for such a use," his letter states.

Another option was creating 15 to 20 residential units - but "the cost of conversion meant the resale values were far in excess of anything similar on offer in Kidderminster."

Mr Lewis said it would be "considerably cheaper" to buy a two-bed terraced home in the town than a two-bed Piano Building flat, which would also have no parking.

Retailers did not find the building an attractive proposition because of the irregular shapes and number of floors, while the costs of conversion to offices were prohibitive.

A lack of on-site private parking had put off any hoteliers approached, but use of at least two floors for a bar and restaurant was thought possible. "But despite continued marketing for 18 months we have been unsuccessful in identifying an operator," said Mr Lewis.

The developers' assessment of the refurbishment costs has been based on a report by structural engineer Shepherd Gilmour (Leeds) Ltd, which ruled the building was capable of repair.

The firm concluded the building would require "extensive and costly repairs" to ensure its long-term stability by tying back the floors to the external walls and the walls to the roof.

"A full refurbishment to enable the building to be re-used would require a new roof, new floors at first, second and third floor levels and possibly at ground level, together with precautions against disproportionate collapse that would require a new internal frame."

However, chartered architects ST Walker and Duckhams looked at the structural report on behalf of the district council - and concluded that specialist strengthening techniques could be used instead to carry out a "careful and sensitive" repair of the building.

"We are not aware that this conservation approach has been explored," the company said.

Next week the Shuttle/Times and News will announce the verdict of the readers' poll.

It is then hoped to bring together all interested parties in a bid to find a way forward.