Dudley Hippodrome decision will not be 'called in'

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has confirmed that the government will not intervene in the case of Dudley Hippodrome.

Theatres Trust is extremely disappointed by the news that the decision to demolish Dudley Hippodrome will not be called in by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. This is another devastating blow for the future of Dudley Hippodrome.

This is despite the compelling representations we have made to Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council since the Hippodrome was added to our Theatres at Risk list in 2010, and the strong local support to save and reuse this unique building.

Theatres Trust has supported the local campaign group’s application to have the building listed, which includes new photographic evidence of the existence of features previously thought lost. We are talking to Historic England about the urgency of this application, without which it will mean Dudley Hippodrome’s fate is sealed.

By demolishing the Hippodrome, Dudley is losing an iconic building - an increasingly rare example of a 1930s purpose-built variety theatre, which even features in the council’s own logo. But more than that, this is a wasted opportunity to provide the type of live performance space that Dudley is lacking, which could be a catalyst for growth in the town, and its demolition has huge environmental implications.

Photo credit: Ian Grundy