A MULTI-MILLION-POUND music and events centre could be built in Southampton, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The proposed new venue would feature everything from gigs by major musical artists and comedians to large-scale events attended by thousands of people such as university or party political conferences.

It could also be used as a cruise terminal to accommodate additional demand at Southampton Port, and could boast a hotel, restaurants, flats and public space.

Under the plans, £100,000 is being spent on the study with £50,000 coming from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) with the remaining coming from Southampton City Council and ABP, the owners of Southampton Port, to assess the suitability of sites and how it could be delivered.

City council leader Simon Letts says the study would be the catalyst for the creation of a new, large-scale venue similar to the Bournemouth International Centre.

He added: “The centre would be used for additional cruise facilities during the summer months as well as conferencing and events in the winter.

“It’s about bringing people to the city and spending money here, enhancing the opportunities for local businesses and it will create extra jobs.

“This will also help to establish a potential site.”

Originally, Cllr Letts said the scheme could have been funded through the Solent Devolution deal, that would have seen £1billion of transport, skills and housing improvements in Hampshire over the next three decades. But since the plans were scrapped he added they now had to look at other options.

An ABP spokesperson added: “We understand the council is working on a number of options for further city centre redevelopment and look forward to working with them as they seek to realise the future potential of the area.”

Solent LEP chairman Gary Jeffries, said: "The city of Southampton is a key anchor of growth for the Solent economy and its port is a key maritime gateway and asset for the region.

"We are delighted to be working with Southampton City Council to explore the development of this proposal which would support the continued growth of the city and unlock future development potential."

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, leader of the opposition on Southampton City Council said: “I welcome the study as long as the money goes far enough in assessing all of the options.”

Ross McNally, executive chair at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Hampshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes the progress being made towards a feasibility study into a major Conference Centre for the City.

"It is essential that any new venue is able to support the cultural scene and economic ambitions of the City while building on the many investments which have been made in major events, tourism, higher education, the waterfront, and our growing international links.

"It is not easy to make such large scale venues viable so we would hope that a new and ground-breaking vision could be developed building on Southampton’s undoubted strengths.”

The council is looking at a number of locations it owns along the waterfront for the venue which include the John Lewis distribution hub on West Quay Road and leisure complex Leisureworld, which is owned by property developer UBS.

Either or both could be demolished to make way for the centre.

A spokesperson for UBS declined to comment on the scheme while a representative of John Lewis did not respond when approached by the Daily Echo.

Meanwhile, current tenants of Leisureworld, which include Ask Italian and Grosvenor Casinos, did not respond to a request for comment when approached by the Daily Echo, Frankie and Bennys said it was too early to comment, Odeon declined to do so, and Oceana said it was “businesses as usual” for the club.

The plans were first revealed in 2016 as part of the city’s masterplan. to turn Southampton into the “capital city of the South”.

Further updates on the scheme will be made later this year.