Hiya folks
Whilst I was spending a week in Derby I couldn’t really miss out on visiting the poor old Hippodrome Theatre on Green Lane. It’s in such a sorry state now, yet there are charities and trusts still working very hard to try and save it from total demolition, so I hope that there is finally a happy ending for all as volunteers have managed to raise funds for reports and structural surveys yet its future remains uncertain.
A little history......
The Derby and Nott’s Music Hall Association successfully put in an application for listed status in 1992 to award the Hippodrome its Grade II Listing. Sadly this hasn’t been enough to save the building and preserve its heritage. It is estimated to require £15 million to restore it back to its former glory.
Built: 1914
Usage: 1914-1930 theatre 1930-1950 cinema 1950-1959 theatre
Bingo Hall Closed 2007
The Hippodrome has had a rather “awkward” past and some “shady going on’s” regarding its preservation.
The Derby Telegraph has a report from November 2011 which says 2 men were arrested after a suspicious arson attack on the building, one of many “suspicious” fires. Chatting with relatives that live around the city centre, it appears to be “common knowledge” that the present owner has a lot to do with the buildings poor state of health. BBC Derby has an article about the theatre and explains its current poor condition.
The building is owned by a businessman Christopher Antony and was left partially demolished in 2008 when work ordered by him caused major damage.....infact speaking to a resident that lives behind the theatre he said a digger crashed through and removed a large chunk of the exterior wall at the back of the theatre and he watched as the roof caved in.
The Hippodrome Trust has been putting pressure on the city council to use its powers to compulsory purchase the property back.....but due to budgeting pressures the council is reluctant to buy a building with no viable future, so the Hippodrome Trust is pushing for a professional survey to be carried out for an appraisal of the site.
Here’s some (tiny) pics of what the Hippodrome use to look like back in 2003......
It’s very sad to compare them with the photo’s that I took last week........
From the front of the building you wouldn’t think that it has become such a state...
until you have a look around the back
The safety curtain still hangs on the stage
Downstairs to the lower seats
Bingo seats
Glimpses of when it had a life
I think that ashtray on the “table” is a bit late now...
One of them weird jelly cup-like fungi on the seats
The window onto Green Lane
Remnents of its better days...
The ornate plasterwork is gradually falling away
The upstairs is also badly fire damaged....I can’t find a nice hopeful photo to finish on, sorry i did try!
So thanks for having a look ....the best of luck to The Hippodrome Trust
Whilst I was spending a week in Derby I couldn’t really miss out on visiting the poor old Hippodrome Theatre on Green Lane. It’s in such a sorry state now, yet there are charities and trusts still working very hard to try and save it from total demolition, so I hope that there is finally a happy ending for all as volunteers have managed to raise funds for reports and structural surveys yet its future remains uncertain.
A little history......
The Derby and Nott’s Music Hall Association successfully put in an application for listed status in 1992 to award the Hippodrome its Grade II Listing. Sadly this hasn’t been enough to save the building and preserve its heritage. It is estimated to require £15 million to restore it back to its former glory.
Built: 1914
Usage: 1914-1930 theatre 1930-1950 cinema 1950-1959 theatre
Bingo Hall Closed 2007
The Hippodrome has had a rather “awkward” past and some “shady going on’s” regarding its preservation.
The Derby Telegraph has a report from November 2011 which says 2 men were arrested after a suspicious arson attack on the building, one of many “suspicious” fires. Chatting with relatives that live around the city centre, it appears to be “common knowledge” that the present owner has a lot to do with the buildings poor state of health. BBC Derby has an article about the theatre and explains its current poor condition.
The building is owned by a businessman Christopher Antony and was left partially demolished in 2008 when work ordered by him caused major damage.....infact speaking to a resident that lives behind the theatre he said a digger crashed through and removed a large chunk of the exterior wall at the back of the theatre and he watched as the roof caved in.
The Hippodrome Trust has been putting pressure on the city council to use its powers to compulsory purchase the property back.....but due to budgeting pressures the council is reluctant to buy a building with no viable future, so the Hippodrome Trust is pushing for a professional survey to be carried out for an appraisal of the site.
Here’s some (tiny) pics of what the Hippodrome use to look like back in 2003......
It’s very sad to compare them with the photo’s that I took last week........
From the front of the building you wouldn’t think that it has become such a state...
until you have a look around the back
The safety curtain still hangs on the stage
Downstairs to the lower seats
Bingo seats
Glimpses of when it had a life
I think that ashtray on the “table” is a bit late now...
One of them weird jelly cup-like fungi on the seats
The window onto Green Lane
Remnents of its better days...
The ornate plasterwork is gradually falling away
The upstairs is also badly fire damaged....I can’t find a nice hopeful photo to finish on, sorry i did try!
So thanks for having a look ....the best of luck to The Hippodrome Trust