Blood Boiling: Derby Hippodrome

[Gareth Hughes]

Only found out about this from Piloti in this week's Private Eye, surprised it's not been mentioned here already:

The "official" website is, sadly, now very out of date: http://derbyhippodrome.co.uk/
but it does give an idea of what it was like until last week.

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/14683/

It is just over a year ago that Walkers Bingo Club moved out of the hippodrome Theatre and it was boarded up. The building was in excellent condition and it was hope that it could return to live theatre use by many people.

A property speculator (Mr Christopher Anthony, of Hertfordshire) purchased the empty building with proposals to re-develop. To-date, he has not sought any planning permission for this, and with the Hippdrome Theatre being a Grade II Listed building, any form of alteration would need planning permission.

On the 8th February 2008, a fire broke out in the former orchestra pit area. Apparently not too much damage was done as the fire brigade arrived swiftly and the the theatre's Safety Curtain was in the 'down' position.

On the 25th March 2008, contractors were brought in by Mr Anthony to carry out remedial work on the building which had been ordered by Derby City Council, working in conjuntion with the Theatres Trust. A heavy duty excavator/bulldozer was brought in to carry out this work. Two days later, the left-hand side wall of the auditorium was breached and partially removed, an act which resulted in the part collapse of the theatre's roof and the auditorium ceiling.

Here is some film of the "remedial work" under way:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pS5UOSz2dBg

Derby Hippodrome High Court judgement welcomed by The Theatres Trust

10th April 2008

Mhora Samuel, Director of The Theatres Trust attended the High Court hearing held today in London where Derby City Council (the claimant) applied for an injunction to prevent the owner of the Derby Hippodrome (the respondent) from carrying out further demolition of the theatre. In the three and a half hour hearing the owner continued to assert that his experts declared the building was unsafe and required demolition, contrary to the views of the Council and English Heritage who considered that the building was safe to the public on the street and could be saved.

The respondent’s barrister stated that the owner was not required by listed building legislation to preserve the theatre and intended to demolish the building. He raised the issue of asbestos in the safety curtain and that this continued to pose a health and safety risk. The owner wanted to remove it by using a machine to go in and lift it out of the building. He said that the proscenium would not survive this process of removal.

Mhora Samuel said, “I was very concerned to hear that the owner’s approach to making the building safe would result in the loss of the proscenium. I am pleased that the final judgement issued by the court identified that it is a criminal offence to undertake works to a listed building without consent, and that whilst he was not in a position to adjudicate on this matter, the judge did state that advance notice of the works to the roof on the 28 March had not been given to Derby City Council. I now urge the Council to proceed with prosecution and enforcement to have the theatre restored.”

The view of the judge, Mr Justice Saunders, was that the status quo should be retained until a proper trial could take place but issues of health and safety were serious considerations that needed attention. Faced with ‘two sets of experts diametrically opposed to each other’, both parties agreed to the appointment of an independent expert who would produce a report on the state of the building for a further hearing on the week beginning 21 April. In the meantime the judge ordered that the health and safety issues in the building be kept under close scrutiny by both parties.

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/d...uleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/7325929.stm

 

[Nemesis]

Yes I've only just caught up with this via Pilotti.

Good bit about Margate and Mr Jimmy 'Fire!!!' Godden too in Rotten Boroughs.

 

[Nemesis]

Added: 08 April 2008 (Less info)
PLEASE SPEND A FEW MOMENTS TO READ THE DESCRIPTION BELOW. Thankyou!

*PLEASE NOTE: I DID NOT SHOOT THIS FOOTAGE.*

These are the FACTS. Up untill recently this Grade II listed,Marshall and Tweedy designed Derby Hippodrome was occupied by the 'Walkers' bingo chain. Walkers did little to alter the layout/style of the building except for removing the seats from the stalls. Apart from being slightly dusty up in the dress circle,upper circle and backstage everything was pretty much just like it was when it first opened its doors in 1914. Yes folks,this building was unmolested,original and waiting patiently to be used once more for theatre go'ers of the east midlands. Despite theatre groups being busy putting bids together it was sold to a property developer for £375,000.

On 8/3/08 a fire broke out in the orchestra pit.Derby police have since confirmed that it was arson. The fire was confined to the stage and decorative domed ceilng and part of the roof which was directly above. Major damage was averted by the 94 year old fire curtain. Even today it still hangs firmly in place trying to protect what's left of the theatre.

On 28/3/08 a demolition company was brought in to make the roof 'safe'. What you see in this video is the end result. All this destruction has happened in the space of a couple of months. YouTubers can draw their own conclusions. At first glance the damage looks serious, the building is built to last and is still structurally sound with the roof repairs/demolition making things look far worse than they really are.

On the 17/4/08 thru the High Court in London; English Heritage,Theatres Trust and Derby City Council will try to safeguard this theatre's existence for future generations to enjoy. These organisations actually welcome your comments and support. So,if like the people of Derbyshire YOU are also outraged by the demise of the Derby Hippodrome (or have a spare million or three to donate) then please e-mail them and express your concerns.

To see what our gorgeous theatre once looked like up untill a few months ago(and still could in the future) just click on the other YouTube 'Derby Hippodrome' clips and see for yourself,or visit the fantastic website listed below.

http://www.derbyhippodrome.co.uk

Thanks for reading.
(The Derby Hippodrome Trust).
Category: News & Politics
Tags: derby hippodrome theatre cinema bingo hall english heritage trust

More YouTube:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=viVZJb3hiBY&NR=1

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/FOI_requests/archive_2007/case_68286.htm


Pic of the 'saviour' of the building:

http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/showthread.php?t=4005

I'm sorry to read Charles Mynors is his legal representative. I suppose it's a living.

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.ftb.uk.com/lc_cms/page_view.asp?ID=530

 

[Nemesis]

Interesting - as are the comments:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=124378&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231734&home=yes&more_nodeId1=124522&contentPK=20324785


Yes well. Make it unsafe and then demolish ...

 

[Nemesis]

Latest news:


http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=124378&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231734&home=yes&more_nodeId1=124522&contentPK=20429544

 

[Nemesis]

From today's Building Design:

Repairs’ lead to demolition threat
25 April 2008

The Victorian Society has branded plans to demolish the remains of Derby’s grade II listed Hippodrome theatre as “horrifying” after work meant to repair the building damaged its structure.

Derby City Council ordered repairs to the building in March following pressure from the campaigning group.

But work partially destroyed the theatre and left it open to the elements. Now the owner has applied for full demolition.

Alex Baldwin, conservation adviser at the society, said:

“It should never have come to this. Work to a listed building should be carefully planned and executed. It should certainly not cause new harm.”

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Latest news from Derby at:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=124615&command=displayContent&sourceNode=124519&contentPK=20466311&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch


Court decison due today.

 

[Nemesis]

Breaking news:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=131596&command=displayContent&sourceNode=124371&contentPK=20478044&folderPk=55129&pNodeId=124522

HOORAY!


THE leader of Derby City Council Chris Williamson has said the authority has succeeded in getting a High Court injunction against the owner of Derby?s Hippodrome.

The council sought the injunction to stop Christopher Anthony carrying out any further work to the building apart from removing an asbestos curtain.

Mr Justice Wyn Williams made his decision today. Mr Williamson said the council was delighted to have succeeded in getting the injunction.



The injunction was sought following the collapse of large parts of the former theatre's roof during repair work on March 28.

 

[Nemesis]

Today:

HISTORIC HIPPODROME IS SAVED AFTER FIGHT AT THE HIGH COURT
BY KIRSTY GREEN
KGREEN@DERBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK

08:00 - 26 April 2008



The Hippodrome has been saved from demolition after Derby City Council succeeded at the High Court in getting an injunction against the Grade II-listed building's owner.

Christopher Anthony, owner of the 1914 theatre, said in court that he wanted to knock down parts of the building because he believed it was unsafe and a danger to the public.

It followed repair work carried out on March 28 during which huge parts of the building collapsed.



The council said it did not want Mr Anthony to carry out further work and sought an injunction to stop him.

Making his verdict in the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Wyn Williams said he was granting the injunction to prevent the historic landmark in Green Lane being "lost for all time".

He said: "It is obvious that Mr Anthony intends to demolish substantial parts of what remains of the building at the very least.

"In the absence of an injunction, therefore, the building will very soon cease to exist in any meaningful sense and the prospects of renovation, repair and refurbishment will in reality be lost for all time.

"In my judgement, Mr Anthony has failed to establish that there is currently a substantial risk of collapse."

Mr Williams also ordered Mr Anthony to pay the council £20,000 in legal costs.

Council leader Chris Williamson said he was delighted with the result and said it sent out a clear message that developers could not ride rough-shod over the city's heritage.

He said: "The council has always acted in the interest of the public and the preservation of the Hippodrome. This has not always been easy.

"The legal processes have been complex and time-consuming and we realise this has been frustrating for the public and other interested parties.

"The court has recognised this by ordering Mr Anthony to pay the costs of the case."

Mr Anthony has already submitted a listed building consent application to demolish the building.

The council said it would tell Mr Anthony to carry out essential repair work until the application was determined, which could be the end of next month.

If the council rejects the application and it goes to appeal, it could be the autumn before a decision is reached.

The judge ordered that an asbestos stage curtain be removed and ordered the council and Mr Anthony to agree the method this should be done to prevent unnecessary damage to the building.

If that agreement can not be reached, both parties will have to go back to court.

Richard Williams, assistant director of regeneration at the council said work would be done under the supervision of the authority.

He said: "We will take the lead on the removal of the curtain and agree the method with Mr Anthony, which we will do as quickly as we can.

"We will then serve an urgent works notice on Mr Anthony describing the works we feel he should carry out. That includes carefully removing loose brickwork using appropriate machinery.

"Any work has to be agreed in advance with the council with a written method statement agreed by us and we have to be on site at all times."

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=131596&command=displayContent&sourceNode=124371&contentPK=20481699&folderPk=55129&pNodeId=124522

 

[Nemesis]

Building Design:

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=725&storycode=3112388&c=1&encCode=00000000014bc09b