DERBY HIPPODROME

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The Derby Hippodrome is a purpose built theatre opened in 1914 as a 2,300 capacity Variety house. The theatre was later purchased by Mecca Group who converted the theatre into a Bingo Social Club. The theatre was described as "palatial" with an elaborate first floor foyer and comfortable lounges where lady attendants served dainties to the better off clientele.

The dress circle balcony was (and still is) especially rich in decoration and the novelty of ladies and gentlemen's toilets on each floor was popular. What is more the auditorium was COOL. The lack of a drinks licence was part of the agreement and this restriction was to come and haunt the subscribers of the venture. The fact that this theatre needs saving for future generations to enjoy is indisputable. How this will be done is yet unknown. (Source: Derby Hippodrome)

The owner of the Hippodrome plans to knock it down. A notice sent to the city council states the owner's intentions to demolish the building, which was granted Grade II listed status 10 years ago. Ray Rippingale, assistant director of cultural services at the council, said the authority had spoken to the owner but as the building was listed 10 years ago, the owners will still have to get listed building consent from the council before pulling it down. The council says it has not yet received such an application.

The Hippodrome, in Green Lane, was sold at the end of 2006 by its then owners, Top Ten Holdings, who ran it as a bingo hall. Amateur dramatics groups in the city wanted to buy the historic building to use as a theatre. Keith Briars, chairman of Derby New Theatre Company, an umbrella group for amateur theatre groups in the city, even submitted a planning application to turn it back into a theatre should they get ownership. The application was granted in October 2006 but the building was sold without the knowledge of Mr Briars.

Mr Briars said theatre groups would fight any move to knock down such an iconic building. He said, "We cannot let this building go. It will be a disaster for Derby if the Hippodrome is knocked down. Inside it are most of the original fittings of a theatre, which is why it makes most sense to let it be turned back into one. This has always been our aim, to bring it back to its former glory." Derby historian Maxwell Craven said, "To allow somewhere which has recently been listed to be demolished sets a precedent and all civic groups and conservation societies should fight against any such demolition." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Jan/08)

Anyone who wants to demolish a listed building, or to alter or extend one in any way that affects its character, must obtain 'listed building consent' from the local planning authority, or in some circumstances the Secretary of State. The procedure is similar to that for obtaining planning permission. It is an offence to demolish, alter or extend a listed building without listed building consent and the penalty can be a fine of unlimited amount or up to twelve months' imprisonment, or both.

Anyone wishing to redevelop a site on which a listed building stands will need both listed building consent for the demolition and planning permission for the new building. Planning permission alone is not sufficient to authorise the demolition. Similarly, anyone wishing to alter a listed building in a way which would affect its character, and whose proposed alteration amounts to development for which specific planning permission is required, will also need to apply for planning permission and for listed building consent.

If you are granted listed building consent to demolish a building, either wholly or in part, you must not do so until the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments has been given an opportunity to make a record of it. So if you propose to demolish part or all of a listed building you should tell the Royal Commission at The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, Swindon either before or immediately after you get listed building consent. You must then wait for at least a month.

During that time you must allow the Royal Commission reasonable access to the building. If the Royal Commission completes its records of the building within the month, or states that it does not wish to record it, you can then demolish the building at once. If, exceptionally, the month has elapsed and the Royal Commission has been notified but has not been in touch, the building can be demolished without further delay.

If a local authority consider that a listed building is not being properly preserved they may serve on the owner a 'repairs notice' under Section 115 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971. This notice must specify the works which the authority consider reasonably necessary for the proper preservation of the building and explain that if it is not complied with within 2 months the authority may make a compulsory purchase order and submit it to the Secretary of State for confirmation.

If the owner deliberately neglects the building in order to redevelop the site, the local authority may not only acquire the building, but may do so at a price which excludes the value of the site for redevelopment. If the building is unoccupied, the authority can serve a notice on the owner giving him 7 days' notice of their intention to carry out repairs which are urgently necessary to secure its preservation and recover the cost from the owner. (Source: English Heritage)

The Theatres Trust, a society established to promote the protection of theatres within the UK, wants Derby City Council to take immediate action to save the former Hippodrome theatre building. The society has to be consulted on any planning applications affecting land where there is a theatre and is concerned about the Grade II-listed building's future as it is being left to fall into disrepair. Council leader Chris Williamson said the authority would do all it could to ensure the building was safe.

A letter sent to the city council by the Trust states, "The Hippodrome theatre is one of Derby's finest Edwardian buildings. It was added to the Theatres Trust's top 10 Buildings at Risk register last year. In the first instance we understand that there is still asbestos in the building that needs to be removed to make the building safe to work in. We also understand that the building is in a severe state of repair and that water ingress has damaged the roof timbers. Obviously urgent works are required and we hope the council can persuade the owner to undertake them without delay."

Cllr Williamson said, "We are trying to get the building better secured and have been trying to get the owner to comply with us on that. As yet he has been unwilling to co-operate. We are keeping a close eye on the building and will use what powers we can to stop it coming to damage. However, our powers are limited and the ball is largely in the owner's court." Derby's amateur dramatics groups have been keen to see the building used as a theatre for amateur productions.

Director of the Theatres Trust Mhora Samuel said, "Derby Hippodrome is in desperate and urgent need of repair to protect it from further deterioration. The Theatres Trust welcomes Derby City Council's vigilance to secure the safety of this important Grade II-listed theatre. Given that Arts Council England East Midlands is investing £5m into the arts in Derby over the next three years, the trust will be making every effort to ensure that the Hippodrome is in a position to play a major part in the cultural life of the city." (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph, Feb/08)

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