Appeals against a decision not to grant the former cinema building listed status are currently being considered by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Now the Cinema Theatre Association has written to Ministers in support of saving the city centre landmark who are expected to make a decision next month.

The association's chair of casework Richard Gray said: "We pointed out that it was probably the largest and most elaborate cinema in the north of England.

"If the New Victoria (as it was formerly called) had survived in its original form it would have been listed years ago. What has held it up is that the interior was heavily sub-divided.

"By looking at other examples all over the country those other examples are either not there because they have been demolished or they are still there and listed. That is what we based our argument on, coupled with the fact that there has been a lot of interest in it locally.

"The feeling is that this is an important resource and should not disappear and there is probably a use for it that could complement the Alhambra Theatre next door."

Campaigners claim that some of the building's original striking features are concealed by panelling and have not been seen.

Mr Gray said: "It is said that a lot of that panelling could be taken off and we would have significant elements of original decoration still surviving. It would now be appreciated for what it is.

"It is part of architectural and design history and not to be thrown away."

The association's work includes providing information on the historical importance of cinemas, especially when they are being considered for listing or when alterations to listed cinemas are being proposed.

Bradford Centre Regeneration wants to demolish the building and use the site for a new £55m development of offices, apartments and a hotel called New Victoria Place but a planning application has yet to be submitted for the controversial plans.

Bradford Odeon Rescue Group has campaigned to save the building since 2004.

Group member Mark Nicholson, who is responsible for one of the appeals, claims that photographs of the building's interior prove that key factors have not been considered.

"BORG has acquired interior photos had not only shown that the inside of the Odeon was in a far better condition than the regeneration chiefs had the public originally believe, but more importantly the images also highlighted the survival of so much original theatre fabric and layout. It is this photographic evidence that has excited the experts," he said.

"In its day it was the largest venue in the North and it's now the sole surviving period example of an early 20th century theatre of that size in the entire country – all of the others have since been demolished."

Earlier this year, the Theatres Trust added the Odeon building to its Top Ten Theatres At Risk Register.

Controversy has surrounded the future of the site since the regeneration group ran a competition for developers.

In July Yorkshire property entrepreneur Nirmal Singh, said he wanted to buy the ailing building and was backing plans for its use drawn up by the rescue group. The plans include a 2,200-seat restored auditorium, restored ballroom for conference facilities, three-star hotel, nightclub, parking and a third dome to match the building's existing two domes.

But the owner, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, says it is not for sale.