This is my drone footage of the former Derby Hippodrome Theatre as it currently looks in January 2024, can it be saved
Will it be a phoenix from the ashes or has it gone too far, what do you think?
My personal belief is that it’s simply too far gone. Still doesn’t stop local interest groups wanting it saved, for future generations. A bit like the current debacle about the Assembly Rooms. Council wanted to knock it down and replace it with another venue. A lot of people agree, but worry where the funding for this would come from. Yet others want it keeping as a fine example of “brutalist architecture”
yes its hard to see the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and Derby Hippodrome Restoration Trust being able to restore it when you see just how bad a state its in but would be good if it was, we need smaller venues like other cities have. The new arena is great but we need other venues.
You’ll never get a velodrome in there, though…
LOL, maybe if they were on Unicycles
Most buildings can be saved - with enough time and money. The real question is, should it be saved? It strikes me that it is 4, or 5, buildings that were built at different times, jumbled together, to make the hippodrome. I don’t see a lot of architectural merit in it.
Ahh but think of all the names that have appeared there over the years. Hardly anyone alive today would know who they are… Although I appeared there a few times when it was a bingo hall. ( propping up the bar whilst the missus played bingo )
thats a sweeping statement LOL, surely people know Sean Connery, Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Howerd ? guess it depends how old you are, Im 54
you went to bingo ! Maybe your older than me then
Ahh you can add at least 13 yrs on to your age Andy. “Tha’s nowt but a young un “
Yes I think it was Walkers bingo hall at the end of it’s fruitful life.
ah I see that makes more sense now. yes last use of the building was bingo
yes true, Its hard to say whats going to happen to it.