The owners of the Hippodrome are throwing open the doors to the public for the first time since the old Mecca bingo hall closed 17 years ago.
Today (Monday 24 July) the Brighton venue’s owners held a preview, showing off the sensitive restoration of the roof and other parts of the interior.
The grade II* listed building has been made watertight and the fabric preserved and restored as far as possible as part of a £5 million first phase of bringing the venue back to life.
In all, the revival of the Hippodrome is expected to cost more than £10 million – but for now work has stalled and can only restart with planning permission from the council.
But correspondence on the council’s website suggests that town hall planners and their counterparts at National Highways fear Hippodrome crowds making traffic jams worse on the A27 and the A23 north of the bypass.
Their concerns are based on the extra trips by car to a venue with a capacity of about 1,800 once the venue is ready to start staging shows again.
As a result, last month, almost a year after the plans were submitted, they demanded a further “transport statement” from the owners.
National Highways said: “It is currently not possible to determine whether the application would have an unacceptable impact on the safety, reliability and/or operational efficiency of the strategic road network”.
Like the nearby West Pier, the Hippodrome spent years in decline under a number of successive owners until its purchase three years ago by Matsim, a family-run Brighton business.
After stopping the rot, Matsim submitted a planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council. Now, its hands are tied until the planners decide, with no date set yet for their verdict.
So, with work halted, Matsim – run by Andy Lambor and his sons Simon and Matt – opened the doors today to show people what they have achieved so far.
And they will welcome the public from 10am to 3pm on Thursday and Friday to share a glimpse of a building they love.
Among the guests today were the DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, Dan Hawkins, guitarist and backing singer from the Darkness, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas and the mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn.
Simon Lambor said: “We’re a family from Brighton. We watched the Hippodrome degrade and stepped in three years ago. We’ve spent £5 million so far.
“We’re at the stage when we’re having to stop work now because we’re waiting for planning consent and listed building consent. But we’re very keen to get on so we can bring this amazing place back into use.”
The mayor, Councillor O’Quinn, said: “The mayor’s role includes promoting the city at every level, including culture.
“I can’t say anything that would prejudice a planning application but this is a stunning building that needs to be brought back into use as an entertainment venue for live music and shows.
“As a city, we’re trying to attract tourists and this is the sort of place that tourists – including those from further afield – would love to see.
“This is a great opportunity for the city to add to its wonderful cultural offer.”
She was impressed by the way that original features had been looked after and cared for – “the touches that are so incredibly thoughtful” – and she added: “It really does seem as though they are trying to look after the history of this building.”
Dan Hawkins, from the Darkness, has a soft spot for Brighton, having first met his wife at the Concorde 2. And he’s seen other local venues from the stage, having played the Brighton Centre and the Dome.
He said: “It would be great to see this place brought back to life. There’s definitely a gap in the touring circuit for venues of this size. This place would bring bands to Brighton.”
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said that she walked past the building, in Middle Street, each week to and from her nearby office.
She said: “It’s so important that people get to see this impressive gem in the heart of Brighton – and how lucky we are to have it.
“And how lucky we are to have a company like Matsim putting so much money into restoring it.
“They’ve brought so much of it back to life. I just hope that everyone in the city sees what an opportunity we have now.”
The Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion at the next general election, Siân Berry, said: “It’s amazing to be in here and to look at it.
“In planning terms, I don’t think there’s any reason why any of the practical problems cannot be overcome.”
Caroline Lucas added: “It’s a question of political will.”
Some have called for the venue to be restored as a lyric theatre – capable of hosting touring stage shows – and one group even drew up a £28 million plan.
Previous plans – for a night club and then a cinema – would have cost less but foundered with financial viability always a challenge.
Even the bingo hall – a fairly reliable generator of cash – could not cover the cost of keeping up the fabric and keeping on a modest staff.
But the venue became a bingo hall only because it struggled as a concert venue and before that as a variety theatre.
Crowds came to see the likes of local comedian Max Miller as well as Laurel and Hardy, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
The council’s own reports cast doubt on the viability of the sort of proposals by those who want the building turned back in to a theatre.
One of those who went along today said: “Remember Voltaire, who said something like, ‘don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.’”
Another said that there was a danger, with much attention currently focused on another nearby historic building – the fire-damaged Royal Albion Hotel – that politicians and officials could lose sight of the Hippodrome.
He said: “If so, and without grip and a sense of urgency, this magnificent building, which finally has an owner who really and obviously cares about it, could become the council’s next West Pier.”
Never an issue when well over a thousand attended the bingo on busy nights, the roads never got congested. You have to wonder if the council via planning are worried about looking after their own interests, (the Dome and Centre), rather than what’s best for the Hippodrome. This would make a fantastic live music venue, (something it has done so often in the past).
Agreed, there are no such (public) concerns about traffic by the council when there are sellout crowds at the Centre. For a business to put this much effort and money into an historic building and restore it sympathetically is amazing, the council should be fully supporting this as much as possible rather than making it more difficult for them.
The Hippodrome used to be a theatre with variety shows and a pantomime at Christmas, which I went to as a child. It would be good if it became a theatre as before.
Three issues with it being a Theatre:
1) It really would impact upon the Theatre Royal.
2) Incredibly difficult for the lorries to navigate Middle Street and then into Ship Street to deliver large scenery for productions.
3) The limited seating capacity means that tickets would be incredibly expensive to watch major productions.
A live music venue seems the only logical way for the Hippodrome to go.
I agree with your thinking. It is in a narrow part of town. Just get it used! Live music venue is a great use. Much more sympathetic than a Nightclub or Bingo hall. As for traffic jams. It seems strange to be bothered by that. Public transport is the way to reduce that problem. As has always been the case. Pride events or other big events in the Dome manage….
It was a successful theatre in the past and can be again. While I take on board some of the points made it would be a waste to think of it purely as a live music venue. We have those in both the Brighton Centre and the Dome. The Hippodrome fits the bill for the larger productions that the Theatre Royal can’t handle. Touring versions of Les Miserables for example, big opera productions, and other shows. Brighton is a big enough city to warrant further entertainment venues and I think those responsible for the restoration should be applauded and welcome into the panoply of Brighton venues
Whilst it would be nice to see the larger productions the limited seating capacity would make tickets very expensive. For example the Mayflower is Southampton that does get the bigger shows has 700 to 800 more capacity than the Hipp would potentially have.
If wanted to watch a large theatre production, I would want to watch it in the West End. Similarly, if I were a theatrical producer, I would want my production staged in the West End. Large scale productions wll not come to the Hippodrome and we already have the venues for smaller scale theatre. I just wish to see the place viable, and Matsim’s plans appear that to me. It has been derelict for too long whilst those argue that it needs to return to a long gone past.
Theatres simply don’t make a lot of money unfortunately. Hence Wetherspoons buying up disused threatres and running them as pubs while only allowing theatrical productions a handful of days a year. A concert venue with standing space means more tickets can be sold plus music generally means more alcohol will be purchased. Ultimately I suspect we’ll be in the same position in 20 years. It’ll have gone through another handful of owners with the council still rejecting plans due to noise and traffic concerns. The area is simply too built-up now.
I also went to there when I was a child, and remember seeing Laurel and Hardy (very disappointing), the marvellous Crazy Gang, Sophie Tucker, Anne Shelton, Max Miller, Martha Raye, and even Morecambe and Wise in their early days. It was also a theatre that staged large productions of great musicals, where I was fortunate to see “Carousel”, “Guys And Dolls”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Fings Aint Wot They Used To Be” and “Brigadoon”, as well as some new ones that were previewed there, before going into the West End. And then there were visits from the Royal Ballet and the Doyle Carte Opera Company. So many performers who started their careers in variety appeared there. And I’ll never forget the great pantomimes every year. Every production was on a large scale that probably could not be afforded nowadays. My mother’s cousin Sydney Sharpe was the orchestra conductor there for many years. It really was the most amazing theatre, that has been sadly neglected for so many years. So it is a great joy to learn that it is being so beautifully restored.
I danced there in pantomime age 15 such fun and good beginning for a cater in ballet co s
Why the negativity?
Is this a ‘Brighton’ thing – just giving up on our amazing history?
It seems to be the councils policy to just sit on everything and hope it will go away – Madeira Terraces, our wonderful street lighting on the seafront, and now this.
Pull your finger out Brighton council before these gems are lost forever.
Totally Agree and now the Greens are no longer in charge, perhaps we will see some positive movement in the Not to distant future? As far as the alleged traffic problems. Remove All of the greens idiotic Traffic calming and cycle lanes on the A259 on its entirety through Brighton and Hove and revert back to how the road used to be a dual carrage ways in both directions with the central reservation how about a couple of walk/cycle ways over and along the center of the A259 through the center of Brighton with conecting bridges across the road, Improve the cycle lanes along the promanade and pavement
Total rubbish… Ban ALL private cars from the city center and create a pleasant environment for everyone
Well said couldn’t agree more
Nor me, get yer finger out Brighton Council.!
Mr Kyle said not so long ago Brighton will be up there with the likes of …Nice and Barcelona!.
Yes, he did indeed say that.
The article stated that it is the department of transport holding things up not the council
this is tyipal of brighton council .they love stopping peeps coming to ,what was a great town,BRIGHTON . lIVED HERE SINCE 74(LIVED IN HOVE B4 THEN).Got married here,(wife died 22 yearsa ago ,buried here)all my kids born here .THIS COUNCILIS IS RUBBISH.
Sounds like they need a park and ride!
Unbelievable! The churchill sq car park is a stones throw away… why hold things up because of parking. Take away the second cycle lane which no one uses and put back parking on the front. Come on Brighton council even a child can see whats what. We do not want to lose the iconic building like we did the west pier. I an Brighton born and breed you owe this to make up for all the hideous square blocks of concrete we the residents have to look at. Give us back a glorious building to enjoy
TOTALLY Agree! Rosie🙏🏻 Captain Jones will save Brighton!
Maybe they should ban gay pride, the marathon, the bike ride etc, with that attitude.
Hope you’re right! Do away with the lot
I think he was being sarcastic you buffoon
Thousands upon thousands have visited for many many years so what’s the problem, it’s all so incredibly frustrating to read negativity. My grandparents parents have worked there and my parents, I got proposed to there at a dance, come on !!!
Wonderful news about the Hipppdrome. I look forward to seeing inside again. Being a Brightonian and living up in Freshfield Road, we were taken to every pantomine, every year as children, and I was lucky enough to see The Beatles there too.
Somewhat older now and living along the coast in Worthing, I am so excited that Hippodrome will offer new entertainment in the future
Find a new park and ride similar to westdean or the football . It could be dedicated for Hippodrome events.
Just reread this, what have National Highways got to do with it? They fear congestion on the roads and then say they are unable to determine the effect it will have. When will they? and will it be reliable? somehow i think there is a hidden agenda here. Why should the owners have to provide this spurious information, they are spending enough money on the building. Perhaps the council should take a lesson from them and get on with the restoration of the Madeira Terrace. Just give them consent and get on with it. The Labour council will fast lose it’s ill earned popularity at this rate.
Terrible and obviously so many have a ‘vested interest “!! Say no more !! If anyone from the council or Green Party actually bothered to speak to the local residents who live near or next to the disruptive works thar have ruined our enjoyment of where we live then they would soon change there minds and just shows how out of touch they are ! Also the total disrespect matsim have shown to the local people by inviting so called “stars” to the viewing first rather than those who have had to put up with all the disruption over the last 2 years just shows what they think ! And that’ it’s all about boosting their ego to get backing rather tahb look after and apologise to the locals who do not want this project and never have !! Just wait till 1800 plus card try head down middle street !!’akes Total sense yes !! Well guess it does for those who have fingers in all the pies ! Just shows all councils and politicians are the same !! Ie Money talks and BS walks !! It’s disgusting! Thanks Brighton !
We used to have up to 1400 leave when it was a Bingo hall and it was never an issue.
Hello Mike,
We’ve not had any correspondence or conversation with any Mike from the local residents who have been in touch? Nor any complaints, of the very few we have received during the build process, from a Mike.
Ship St Gardens Residents Association Members came along as well as Middle Street school and other neighbours we have been in direct communication with.
This event was to thank all supporters including supportive local residents. You are of course welcome to come along on Thursday or Friday, and we look forward to meeting.
We have had numerous requests by Sussex Police for CCTV of Middle Street as it has become a “dead” part of town that attracts drug dealing, graffiti and assaults. The Hippodrome makes up an acre of the Old Town and it being inactive for so long has been very detrimental to the area. The building being back in use will vastly improve the situation with a new demographic brought to the area frequently and it’s well proven that the public surveillance from this activity and footfall will deter criminal activity.
Thanks
Well said, and controlled in doing so!
it tickles me the concern about congestion.
as a resident of a nearby twitten i can say that we already put up with people using it as a latrine, student noise and vandalism throughout the nights, county lines drug dealing and regular aggression. no concern from the council ever.
it’s a constant struggle to get the twitten swept regularly. powerwash ? in our dreams. of course we do what we can ourselves. but vomit and needles make you question your council tax.
more footfall, minimal policing.
what could go wrong ?
What a load of nonsense. The town doesn’t grind to a halt when there is a gig at the Centre, and twice as many people can get in there. It would be a great music venue again. Car parks a couple of minutes away. We should be honoured to have a restored Mascham theatre in our city, and enjoy it accordingly.
A beautiful space and would be a boon for laine based businesses. If a venue like this cannot be reopened in a way that allows it to function at capacity, then it is not the failings of the developers, but the failing of the council/highways agency not investing in the infrastructure of the city.
Traffic management is not an insurmountable problem. I sincerely hope the developers can do the problem solving that the council/highways agency aren’t willing to do.
Come on Brighton Council – a ‘can do’ attitude is all the help we need. Clear the path. Find a way to make it happen versus throwing up friction
If Brighton had proper park and ride facilities, as so many cities do, offering bus transfers most of the day, the traffic problems mentioned above might be easily solved.
An earlier contributor hit the mark saying the Dome, Theatre Royal and Brighton Centre will be affected by the Hippodrome draining their business.. That MAY be true but what I want to know is what ‘Procedure is required to refer the application to the Central Government’ as claimed by Martin Randall the head of Brighton Planning. The Government has not called the planning application in so why are they involved.. So much for local democracy! Something is wrong here.
Given this family’s commitment to the Hippodrome and the money they have already spent on the previously long-neglected building, it will be a travesty if the council isn’t doing everything in its power to bring this beautiful old building back to life. The highways people’s suggestion it will jam up the main roads is utterly ridiculous, it sounds as though someone in the council needs to get a grip before Brighton ends up with another Madeira Terraces or, worse, a West Pier.