Theatres Trust meets Derby City Council to save Hippodrome
2nd April 2008
Following partial demolition of the listed grade II Derby Hippodrome on Friday 28 March, The Theatres Trust has met with senior officials of Derby City Council to discuss plans to secure the future of the theatre. Mhora Samuel, Director and Mark Price, Planning and Architecture Adviser for The Theatres Trust met with Richard Williams, Assistant Director of Regeneration and Councillor Evonne Williams at the council’s offices.
Says Mark Price, “We were reassured that the council intends to obtain an injunction to prevent the owner from carrying out unauthorised works and that a further Urgent Works Notice has been issued. Whilst the owner considers the building to still be unsafe, both the Trust’s and the Council’s view is that the theatre can be shored up and secured”.
The Trust stressed its concern that the contractors responsible for the unauthorised works on Friday could be allowed back on site to comply with the further Urgent Works Notice.
“We were pleased to hear that the council is doing everything it now can to prevent further damage to Derby Hippodrome, including full investigation into possible legal action for previous works”, said Mhora Samuel. “We were doubly relieved at the council’s assurance that they want to see the theatre rebuilt.”
The events of the 28 March are unprecedented in the history of the Trust. The last time anything remotely comparable to this happened was in the 1970s, when one of the domes on the listed Hackney Empire theatre in London was demolished without consent. That case ended up going to a public inquiry. The then owner was ordered to rebuild both domes with the same materials and to the same quality as the originals. In 2003 this theatre was further restored and brought back to life. It is now a thriving performance venue.
The Trust would like to thank all the members of the public who have been forwarding information and who have played such a key role in raising concerns over the theatre.
Derby Hippodrome is still at risk. The Theatres Trust continues to be vigilant and will be supporting the council to protect this important theatre.
