Flagship Leicester theatre The Curve went epically over budget, with costs rising from an initial estimate of £26.5m to more than £60m.

Times are tough and costs, of course, must be kept under control. But little did anyone realise how bad things had become there. As I sat with a contact over a cup of coffee this afternoon, it was the music choices rather than the innovative building which left the biggest impression.

A compilation album of ‘hits’ from the 80s and 90s was on loop throughout. Worse than that, my companion observed, they were cover versions. You can pick up these CDs for 99p in Morrisons.

Someone buy them an iTunes gift card…

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