ALL of us will welcome the possibility of creating a first-class youth centre, even in an unattractive building like Mr Smith’s.

I am concerned that the list of activities seems to be limited to sport and dance, as though the young people of the town are without intelligence or talent.

This takes us back to the patronising 19th-century view that Warringtonians are Northern bumpkins who have no interests apart from rugby and meat pies.

A young people’s vocal and drama society called Cody’s recently staged a really outstanding production of Les Miserables: they had to do it in Runcorn because we have no theatre.

Warrington has its own youth orchestra and there are a number of other similar young music and drama groups as well as many aspiring pop artistes.

Are groups like these to have no part in any new youth facilities?

Mr Smith’s has an existing stage, proscenium arch and flies.

That part of the building could be easily made into a theatre, cinema and concert arena, still leaving lots of room for sporting and dance activities.

A semi-independent theatre could create income as well, if rented out occasionally to adult groups who at present have nowhere to go.

Developing pop bands should have (soundproof) rehearsing space, as well as facilities where cultural activities like discussions, filmmaking and so on can take place.

The idea that all that young people need to keep them off the streets is a place to kick a football around and play a bit of ping-pong is so very last year, and did not work even then.

There is great potential here to do something big. I call upon the council to be imaginative in its planning, and I urge Culture Warrington to insist that they are included in this project from day one.

Dr Michael Murphy

Warrington and District Arts Council secretary