The former Hippodrome site could be turned into a mixed-use development with retail and accommodation.

Wigan-based property developer Dan Anders bought the lot at auction for £98,000 last week and the sale is due to be completed in the near future.

Mr Anders said he bought the site speculatively and plans are in the very early stages for its future.

He told the Leader: "I have spoken to the architects and they have spoken to the local authority. My initial view is that it will be used for retail on the ground floor with some accommodation above.

"We're a long way away from submitting an application. The sale should complete next week so it is very early days.

Mr Anders said he was convinced to buy the site because of its potential value and size, especially given its location in the heart of Wrexham.

"I buy land on a regular basis," he added. "I've recently bought other plots in Denbigh and Wigan, and this fits the bill of being in the town centre and a good size."

Bids had been expected in the region of £50,000 when the vacant site in Henblas Street, Wrexham, went up for sale at the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester from midday on Tuesday last week.

The land, at the heart of Wrexham town centre, had been listed at £50,000 by Pugh Auctions but sold for £98,000 on the day.

The Hippodrome was the last of Wrexham’s five music halls, which also included the Majestic, now the Elihu Yale, and the Empire on Chester Street, which is now the Saith Seren.

The theatre was built on the site of a former public hall which burnt down in 1909, and Wrexham Hippodrome Ltd was formed in 1913.

The death knell was sadly sounded for the Hippodrome with the opening of the Odeon on Plas Coch back in 1997 with it closing in the autumn of that year, re-opening briefly over the Christmas season.

The building then stood empty for more than 10 years, while campaigners, including legendary Liverpool comic Ken Dodd, pushed for it to be given listed building status.

Despite the high profile backing the bid to secure listed status, saving the building from future demolition, was unsuccessful.

On June 16, 2008, a huge fire ripped through the building – just three days after the funeral of Barry Flanagan, the cinema and theatre’s final manager.

In 2004, the building was purchased by property group HMG who unveiled proposals to transform the old theatre into new retail space.

Planning permission for the construction of retail units on the site was granted in 2006 but the permission from Wrexham Council has now lapsed.

Any new development on the site will be required to go through the planning process again.

An adjacent lot at 6-8 Henblas Street, which was listed with a guide price of £110,000 plus, went unsold at the auction.