North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) has announced that three leisure operators have submitted bids to manage a new entertainment venue currently being developed in Scunthorpe.

Plans for the £16m Baths Hall venue were approved by the council in March 2009, which will retain its original 1930s frontage and will include standing area for up to 2,000 people, seating capacity for 1,200 people and conference facilities. SMG Europe, which has been appointed to operate the new Leeds Arena; Sheffield International Venues (SIV) and regional theatre operator HQ Theatres are the firms currently vying to operate the Scunthorpe venue.

NLC leader Mark Kirk said: "The initial submissions received from three operators with the reputations of SIV, SMG and HQ Theatres Ltd is really good news. It is testament to the quality of the landmark design for the Baths Hall. "The Baths Hall will help create a boost to the economy, both during construction and afterwards. Not only that, it will play a major part in the regeneration of Doncaster Road - one of the key 'gateways' into the town of Scunthorpe."

Construction work on the new venue is expected to get underway in April, and is set to be completed around July 2011.