After nine years of campaigning by Save Brighton Hippodrome, the theatre’s future now rests in the hands of Brighton and Hove Council.
A petition, signed by more than 3,000 supporters, was handed into the council along with supporting documents.
But the council currently classifies this historic venue, which entertained Brightonians for well over a century, as having “nil use”.
This conveniently ignores the fact that the council’s Planning Committee signed it off as an “entertainment venue” for the abortive Vue Cinema development in 2014. It was also the basis of the premises licence granted by the council less than a year ago.
The council’s planning department has also suggested that the venue alone will cause traffic chaos and severe access issues because of crowds and delivery vehicles.
This is despite a very similar situation and layout with the Theatre Royal and the council’s own Dome Concert Hall, not to mention a London to Brighton something-or-other virtually every weekend.
A cynic could be forgiven for saying that the council is being deliberately obstructive.
Other groups have also hindered the restoration plans, with both the Theatres Trust and Historic England insisting on an expensive West End style lyric theatre layout.
This aims to turn the Hippodrome into something that it never was, adding millions to the cost an already colossal restoration project. The scale of the work already needed follows years of neglect which the council did little to stop.
We, and our supporters, believe a versatile and atmospheric entertainment space connected to its historic origins is exactly what this creative city needs for comedy, theatre, music, circus, dance, burlesque and more.
And, unlike the i360, there is absolutely no council money involved, as it is being funded entirely by a local family company Matsim Properties.
Thanks to the open days that Matsim have been running, to show the completed works on the magnificent ceiling, people are now much more aware of the Hippodrome’s plight.
And when we have worn Save Our Hippodrome T-shirts around town we are stopped in the street with a “well done, is it saved now?”
However, if the council vetoes the revised plans and ignores public opinion, it won’t be saved – and it could end up mothballed once more.
The council have been raising obstructions for over 12 months, calling into question commercial viability, which we have been advised has nothing to do with planning.
It’s time they made the right call and let this hidden gem in the heart of The Lanes shine once more. The ghost of the West Pier fiasco will be watching over them!
David Streeter, Louise Turner and Vicki Crowther are campaigners for Save Brighton Hippodrome.
An impeccable piece of Brightons heritage.
Well said ! The philistinism and hypocrisy of the Council is jaw dropping … The space can easily accommodate a range of diverse performance events , from circus to all types of music plus commercial events . A fly tower would be lovely but let’s be realistic . You can do a lot without a fly tower
For me London’s Albert Hall is a role model for this : no fly tower but a range of imaginative configurations permits everything from grand opera to dance ,to corporate ,to stand up . To mothball it would be a massive failure of imagination and to prioritise the needs of the car above all else is supremely depressing
I can not see how it would cause a traffic problem with delivery trucks , on one off your open days I looked at the rear access, if the gate was moved 2 meters down and widened there would be no problem for a 40ft trailor to enter.
I used to work for a few a company Which bought the shows into the theater royal and there was never a problem with traffic hold up there
The Administration needs to be ensuring that this doesn’t go the way of the West Pier and back the only plan on the table – Matsim. The Theatre’s Trust seems to have done a huge U turn when a few years back they said this was NOT viable as a lyric theatre and now they have decided it is, (I guess a quango needs to justify it’s income). The great thing with the Hippodrome is that it has always adapted and not looked back with rose tinted vision.
IT WILL BECOME YET ANOTHER PONCEY WINE BAR CATERING FOR THE BOURGEOISE CHARGING 15 POUNDS FOR A COFFEE WHY CAN’,T IT JUST BE USED FOR THEATRE PRODUCTIONS WITH NO BAR SO PEOPLE WHO CAN’T SEE ANYTHING WITHOUT HAVING A DRINK RUIN IT FOR EVERYONE
No need to shout MB. The Hipp is far to big to viable as a wine bar/ resteraunt etc so no fear of that. As a music venue it would sell drinks but I can’t think of a venue that doesn’t.
Ignoring the last comment, it is becoming more and more obvious that the council is being deliberately obstructive, as for the traffic chaos that’s absolutely ridiculous. I look forward now to them cancelling Pride, concerts and events in our parks including valley gardens, beach events and anything else that causes gridlock in OUR city. WHY has the council allowed this family to spend millions on renovations to then say sorry we’re not letting you continue. Maybe they think they will put on better shows than they do, the offering at the Dome and Centre incidentally is appalling. Somehow I think I smell sour grapes.
Exactly,now we have a champagne Socialist Council as a follow on to a Green and associated more extreme left wing one it is obvious that anything that provides true apolitically based entertainment is going to be regarded as anathema to the left and its associated weird groups. The public should decide not politically biased minorities such as the so called “Woke”and “cretinous cancel culture cancer”of censorship and the forcing of minority cultural attitudes and other garbage on the population.
Save the Dome and make it a place worth supporting.
My apologies I meant “save the Hippodrome Theatre “The Dome is already saved due to its proximity and association to the Pavilion.
How on Earth do your obnoxious views and comments relate to the situation as detailed in this story?
In the meantime, is there anything else we – general public – can do to help save the Hippodrome? Thanks
Surely the council can see the absurdity of issuing an entertainment licence within the last year & then later saying the building has ‘nil’ use? It’s just completely ridiculous – what did they think the licence they themselves issued, was for? It does sound very murky reasoning. Even if they thought it might be competition for the Dome, that’s a completely illogical view; surely the more events going on in town, the more paying punters who’ll be drawn to the city. As others have said, this could end being another West Pier. Whoever came up with the ludicrous ‘nil’ use decision needs sacking!
I’ve lived here for 25 years and didn’t even know this place existed.
I lived in the area probably before you were born and it was a wonderful ‘big name’ touring theatre. As a kid I enjoyed Morecambe and Wise, Ken Dodd, Tommy Steele and many great acts. Times change and tastes change of course. But Brighton deserves a second theatre : London has more than 40!
I know the Hippodrome as a music venue, even saw the Beatles there. Another music venue would be valued in the City. As for traffic problems, this seems a very spurious excuse. Music arts that’s it’s value.
Also saw the beatles there but it is a charming part of brighton’s history.
What is the council’s problem ? One wonders if there is some secret agenda or prejudice involved. Maybe the unhelpful comment about the “poncy winebar” shows one such prejudice ? It’s a beautiful space, maybe better compared to the Speigal Tent than the Albert Hall, suitable for huge range of performance (except West End Musicals!). It’s a test of this new Labour council to let this fantastic project proceed.
The Max Miller Appreciation Society fully supports Matsim Properties and will continue to do so until a sensible decision is reached. What are the chances? Don’t hold your breath. As others have correctly said here, the West Pier and what is left of it is a warning that cannot be ignored. As for the money found to create the I360 – don’t tempt me!
I am old enough to remember it as a theatre that could produce all kinds of entertainment, often on a scale that could compete with the West End, and as a variety theatre it was unbeatable. Apart from all the large scale musicals, opera and ballet and straight plays, I remember seeing many well known performers like Laurel and Hardy, Anne Shelton, Frankie Howerd, The Crazy Gang, Max Miller, Sophie Tucker, Martha Raye (look them up!), as well as unknown artists, such as Morecombe and Wise. And with the coming of rock n’roll, I went to a show which had many of the audience dancing in the aisles. We have had nothing of that scale since it closed down and was allowed to become a wreck. Fortunately, unlike other venues, such as the Astoria and the Essoldo, which were also capable of big spectacular productions, it has not been demolished. Compared with Eastbourne, Brighton is very badly off. We are the bad relation. The Dome is ok for concerts, but the stage is nowhere near deep enough, and the Theatre Royal stage is far too small. That is why the big shows do not come here any more, but tour the rest of the country. Our council is being very shortsighted, narrow minded and unimaginative over the restoration of a magnificent building.
The Hippodrome is one of the few buildings in Brighton I haven’t been into, and it always looked magnificent.
I certainly didn’t go into it when it was a bingo hall.
When old classic buildings such as cinemas become vacant, their downward spiral starts when it becomes a bingo hall, then deserted. Then demolition!
Who remembers the great cinemas we had in Brighton? 4 or 5 in the Churchill Square/North Street alone.
So please! Don’t let this magnificent building go the same way as the West Pier, which was a grade 1 listed building.
Give it at least a chance to prove itself?
The Hippodrome is one of the few buildings in Brighton I haven’t been into, and it always looked magnificent.
I certainly didn’t go into it when it was a bingo hall.
When old classic buildings such as cinemas become vacant, their downward spiral starts when it becomes a bingo hall, then deserted. Then demolition!
Who remembers the great cinemas we had in Brighton? 4 or 5 in the Churchill Square/North Street alone.
So please! Don’t let this magnificent building go the same way as the West Pier, which was a grade 1 listed building.
Give it at least a chance to prove itself?
The parking is not an issue, the NCP over the road is half empty most nights.
I’m in my sixties, and well remember my grandmother speaking of seeing Max Miller at the Hippodrome, and later on Rolling Stones and Beatles appeared there. BHCC have no appreciation of local history and the potential of this building. They are worse than useless.
A venue of nil use indeed. It will be more of an asset than that pole on the seafront with a doughnut sliding up an down it. Get behind this council. What are you afraid of? All this stuff about traffic and disturbance is very suspicious. Cities by their very nature are busy. Get used to it. The Hippodrome needs to be a multi use venue and food and drink is integral to its survival. It should be a venue that offers comedy, music, wrestling, drama and so on. A modern variety venue is what is needed. A lyric theatre offering large musicals and Wagners ring cycle would be brilliant but that is not going to happen. If the plans include office space and residential apartments so be it. Anything to prevent it from becoming a derelict empty shell again. This philistinism is not acceptable and is the thin end of a dystopian wedge. This will bring a great deal of business to the city and thank you Matsim for all your efforts not to mention expenditure. All will NOT be lost and it is time to get some big names behind this.
A venue of nil use. I think not. What exactly is going on here?
Oh the glossy sheen of the new labour council didn’t take long to wear off ?
Bella Sankey, are you reading these comments? What have you got to say about this. Why is the council seemingly obstructing the future of a historic building with fabulous architecture and a history of being a valued entertainment venue. It is being renovated privately too.
I popped along on one of the open days. It looks like a fabulous oppotunity to breath life back into this building.
The councils objections simply don’t stack up. I fear an auteria motive .
I bet anything that if there were to be an application to turn the Hippodrome into an enormous bicycle shop or an even bigger green energy advice centre it would be approved in an instant. However the very idea that it may be used as somewhere for people to dare I say it enjoy themselves or even help the local economy seems abhorrent to our council. We seem to now be in an age of New Puritanism. We see it more and more with governments at both national and local levels. I suspect that this is what is driving the extraordinary attitude towards the Hippodrome application. Matsim have spent a lot of money so far and yes they are a business but it is better for to have the building as a running concern than having it derelict once more. There was even a premises license granted for the venue to be deemed of nil use. Two words that could be used to describe the council themselves but there you go. Several people have hinted they suspect this has very little to do with planning and I tend to agree. It all seems to be indicating a need for control. The whole thing seems rather Orwellian.
The Theatres Trust are not helping the situation either. I know they were set up by an act of parliament as an advisory body to protect theatres. Their instance that the Hippodrome be restored as a lyric theatre is well meaning but I am afraid could lead to its loss altogether. It rather defeats the point of their existence.
I am a passionate theatre lover and an enthusiast for the architecture of Frank Matcham but we have to be realistic or we will lose the Hippodrome altogether. Get behind the Matsim proposal or I am afraid it is game over.
Also saw the beatles there but it is a charming part of brighton’s history.
Hello there, I love this building and would like to see it preserved. I’ve seen the marvelous work done so far. Surely the family have sent an appeal to the council and have a viable financial and logistical plan?
Can it be seen?
And, how do I get the T Shirt please?
Good luck, let us know what we can do to support.
Financial instability and traffic chaos are , just, two of the terms this council has lost any right to opine on.
A smart cookie would serve them with a notice of further action citing tortious interference
Once again a Council does the opposite of what it’s duty is. The council is unwilling to do anything financially for this building but the developers are. You would think the council would rather it remains a decaying blot which does nothing for Brighton let alone actually brings in income for the city. Or even provides much needed business rates. No doubt the developers have already spent a huge amount of money on this building and on paying the planning department it’s various fees, they at least have a valid vision and the backing to do this.
If it’s a failure at least Brighton will have a building back into excellent condition and an asset, if it’s successful it would be a great asset for all of Brighton. The council should make it a priority to help get this moving and stop delaying the project.
Thank you Mathew Lambor, this will be an excellent venue