SLOUGH residents call for the “iconic” former Adelphi Theatre to be protected as the council eyes to sell it off.

Locals have demanded the historic ex-music venue to be re-used as a mix-use community space for performers as they shared memories of seeing major artists, such as Stevie Wonder and guitar legend Jimi Hendrix.

Slough Borough Council has put the former Adelphi Theatre, which is currently used as Buzz Bingo Hall, up for sale to “gauge interest” with potential buyers.

The council is needing to sell up to £600 worth of its properties and land in order to reduce its £680m borrowing debt and bridge its £479m blackhole.

READ MORE: Former Adelphi Theatre put on the market by Slough Council

It bought the Adelphi in 2018 for £4.6m with the aim to turn it back into a performers’ space. The council said there is no approval yet to sell the site but will “weigh up” all available options before deciding what to do with it.

Reacting to the news, Slough resident JS Bey wrote on Facebook: “Oh this isn’t right, this place should be protected.

“I saw Stevie Wonder perform here when I was young. It’s iconic. Obviously, the people running Slough Council haven’t a clue as to what it means to Slough.”

READ MORE: Slough Council was in "stasis" when it declared bankruptcy

Richard Rowntree wrote: “The history and potential for this place are huge. Why not actually turn it back into what it was intended for and give the local people somewhere to see live music, affordable movies, and more performing arts? I’ll gladly offer to come and run it as such.”

Other residents feared a future buyer could turn the Adelphi into apartments, causing the town to lose its historic landmark and make the borough’s nightlife even more “soulless”.