The recent refusal of listed status for Dudley Hippodrome from English Heritage calls into question whether their processes and decision-making are fit for purpose. As far as I am aware they had not even bothered to visit the building in the many years it has been campaigned for. Apparently they relied on second-hand information from the local Council which is openly fixated on demolishing Dudley’s last remaining professional theatre in favour of some Lego-look college student nursing buildings that could be slapped up anywhere. Are the people of Dudley not deserving of proper entertainment venues? I – and many other like me – think they ARE!
The Dudley Hippodrome Development Trust applied for the reconsideration of listed status for the solid and much-loved building in a well-crafted, complete and exemplary dossier which gave a range of authoritative sources, opinions and possibilities (all of which have been ignored by the Council), saying “Our application for Listing to be reconsidered included documents and 157 different photographs, all supporting ‘new evidence’ of remaining features which still exist within the building, despite the more recent alterations.”
As a rebuttal to English Heritage’s seemingly off-hand approach to making its original decision, scores of photos have come to light showing the existing detailing, fixtures and fittings that got overlooked, simply because it was hidden away behind false walls and ceilings and no-one bothered to look. Most of these original features have been unseen for over 40 years.
But now you can see for yourself that the interior of the Hippodrome, far from lacking character, is positively choc-full of it! As you can see in these photos, just a sample of the over 150, all courtesy of the DHDT Facebook page:
You’d have to be blind not to see the quality of these interiors. But of course English Heritage is a Government body, let’s not forget. And Dudley Council’s zero “vision” of demolition will produce nothing except thousands of tonnes of pollution raining down on local residents, and months upon months of disruption to residents and local motorists. Let’s hope the people of Dudley realise they deserve a better future- and a better Council – by voting appropriately at the May elections.
Decorative plasterwork under the dress circle auditorium level, by George Legge of Bryan’s Adamanta, Birmingham
Deco coving and detailed frieze, credits as above.
Further frieze work in foyer areasOriginal Crittall windows, glazing and fixingsDressing room door
Dressing room door
original stage winch
Ceiling roses hidden in false ceiling installation by Gala bingo
Bespoke Deco coving in foyer areasLight fittings hidden over false ceilingsAuditorium grilleworkCovingOriginal terrazo flooring hidden under carpetsBirkby Wyke bricks from Bradford used in the construction of the theatre, once dubbed “the showcase of the West Midlands”Messages from the stars- from the Hippodrome’s opening souvenir brochure
Today, 4th November, Historic England has published its Heritage At Risk Register 2021, which for the first time includes the Streatham Hill Theatre, one of eighteen new London sites added to the Register .
The Heritage At Risk Register sets out the historic sites in England most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. The 2021 Register describes the Grade II listed Streatham Hill Theatre as “an unusually lavish example of a theatre built outside of the West End and was designed by William George Robert Sprague, one of the leading theatre architects of his generation. It is a rare survival as only a few of his buildings still exist today”.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “In London our theatres are the envy of the world, they provide a stage for aspiring artists and bring a wide range of benefits to our communities. That’s why I’m supporting efforts to ensure the magnificent Streatham Hill Theatre is saved for future generations, and why it’s so encouraging Historic England have recognised this is a place like no other and added it to the Heritage At Risk Register. I hope others will join me in supporting this remarkable building being transformed into an inclusive, cultural space that will serve the local community for years to come.”
This means that there will be more attention paid to the ongoing state of this now considered vulnerable building, and will hopefully focus mind on how to continue the process to bring this gigantic sleeping beauty back into productive community use.
Historic England are pretty rubbish at protecting endangered entertainment buildings, as evidenced by their lack of support for Dudley Hippodrome and the imperilled Harrow Dominion.
However, I must compliment their blog which often turns up interesting short reads to enlighten those with an interest in performing arts and the venues they are played in.
This week’s find is a brief introduction to theatre across history is called Lifting the Curtain: Theatre Then and Now, written by Emily McLean.
Generously illustrated, it covers a lot of ground in a short space of time, and is worth a read if you have the time to spare.
England’s long history of building grand indoor spaces for socialising and entertainment began with the music halls of the early Victorian era. Originating as an extension of the saloon bars of local pubs and taverns, music halls developed their own style of variety performance, producing a number of big name acts who frequented the circuit, which was widespread across the UK and enjoyed a formidable longevity of popularity.
Now sadly very rare to find, some notable survivors are discussed in this Historic England blog which is an entertaining read in itself.
Those concerned for the future of the nation’s historic high street buildings were treated to a lively and informative online presentation from Heritage Trust Network and Locality on July 1st.
Can historic buildings save England’s High Streets?
In a lively discussion, expert panelists discussed the potential new uses of historic high street premises and the role of culture in town centres’ revival.
Speakers were David Tittle – CEO of Heritage Trust Network, Owain Lloyd-James – Head of Places Strategy, Historic England, Carol Pyrah – Executive Director, Historic Coventry Trust, Joe Holyoak – Trustee, Moseley Road Baths, Diane Dever – Chair, Urban Rooms Network and Claire Appleby – Architecture Advisor, Theatres Trust.
The mainly heritage-based audience were treated to much impressive factual information from regeneration projects around the UK, together with practical steps and advice when furthering their own high street heritage projects.
The discussion put the High Street in context, starting as a community focus, then often rebuilt to become more retail-focused, and now as retail is on the decline, accelerated by Covid, towns need to find new creative offers to encourage people back to their High Streets.
Owain Lloyd-James of Heritage England reminded us that High Streets are areas of greater footfall, which is why so many theatres, cinemas and other cultural buildings are on them or very nearby. He also noted that retailers were waking up to the idea that they had to offer “something extra” for people to visit High Street stores. This new form, dubbed “experiential retail”, has prompted awareness amongst retailers that historic and heritage buildings can add something special to a shopping trip. This has fueled an increasing amount of interest in repurposing older buildings to create stores with character and interest, as opposed to the bland Lego boxes that infect most of our Hugh Streets today.
Carol Pyrah of Historic Coventry Trust told us about the successes achieved by her group including participating in City of Culture this year, and how they have positively shifted visitors expectations of the appeal of the city through their many placemaking and arts-based projects.
Joe Holyoak, a Trustee of Moseley Road Baths, told us of this historic building’s impressive plan for renovation and renaissance as an arts centre and studios. He also, helpfully, reminded us that the word “monument” stems from the word for memory. And finally, he reached back through time to remind us that buildings which survive down the ages have often been called “persistent” buildings, which seemed a very apt title; and he celebrated not only the persistent buildings but also the persistent people who help to bring them back into life.
Diane Dever discussed the projects arising from the Urban Rooms project in Folkestone. Sadly, for me, her presentation slides were so dense that they became unreadable and undermined the detail of what she was trying to tell us. It was, however, heartening to see Folkestone’s creative quarter emerging, and to hear that the income from shop and flat rentals in the area were helping to fund creative events.
For me, the best was saved till last, as Claire Appleby of the Theatres Trust brought out the convincers – the financial figures. As well, Claire underlined the architectural importance of theatres, their memory-link to the local communities around them, and the wide social benefits of theatres and the activities that can be housed within them. Also highlighted was the flexibility with which theatre companies had lead the way in Covid help, being outreach workers, community hubs, food banks, vaccination centres, and so much more- theatres really showed their value to their communities.
An Arts Council of England survey found that theatres were highly valued, with respondents stating that they were willing to pay £13 a year per person to retain their local theatre.
Theatres’ effects on the local economy were great, with people coming into the area to see a show and usually spending more while they were in the locality. In the last, non-Covid year of research, UK Theatre found there were 34 million visits to theatres across the UK bringing a value of over £1.38 billion, that figure without the extra benefits of restaurants, bars, hotels, etc.
As mentioned on this blog, another survey found that theatre’s wellbeing impacts on audiences contributed to a saving of over £102million to the NHS annually, with 60% of theatregoers more likely to report good health than non-theatregoers.
Finally, Claire quoted a number of recent or nearly-completed projects, with Chester’s Storyhouse (a redevelopment of their old Odeon cinema) bringing a million visitors in their last year. Bradford’s newly refurbished ex-Odeon cinema is projected to bring over a quarter of a million visitors in the first year, with a projected boost to the local economy of £10million. The newly-refurbished Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees projects 170,000 visitors in their first year, bringing an £18million boost to the local economy. (And just another example from my own experience- Walthamstow’s refurbishment of their Granada cinema into a mixed-use theatre space is projected to bring over £100million into the local economy over its first ten years of operation.)
A lively Q&A followed, and the event was brought to a close by David Tittle. Thanks to everyone involved for a highly informative, positive and optimistic view of heritage buildings’ futures on our High Streets.
Watch a recording of the event, which you can find here
