Save our Hippodrome

[Herr Tubthumper]

If our neighbours had a few loud parties over a year it is live and let live, but to have one 365 days a year, we probably wouldn't like it.

Those hundreds and thousands, if it is that many, can go and find somewhere else to enjoy themselves, so it doesn't stop anyones enjoyment.

Which is fair enough, but then why choose to live in a city centre?

 

[goldstone rocks]

A 1,500 capacity auditorium? There are West End theatres which survive on substantially smaller audiences than 1,500. No doubt you could cobble together a business plan that presumed 1,500 people would show up for ten shows a week and pay £40 a ticket (producing an annual income of £30 million), but making that a reality would be a completely different bucket of fish.

That is about as detailed and viable a business plan as the Save the Hippodrome protest group has! This group talk about 1500 seater as that was what is was in 1964- they are living in the past. BTW most West End Shows have 44 ton lorries delivering stage gear as do pop groups for those that want it as a music venue (like the o2!) Have you been past the Hippodrome lately? Brighton's Chelsea Tractor brigade can't get down their to Middle Street let alone artic lorries!

 

[symyjym]

Which is fair enough, but then why choose to live in a city centre?

I couldn't tell you but they do. The residents of Ship Street Gardens hate people using the alley as a cut through at night because of the noise, and have tried to get permission for a gate at each end. The HideAway Cafe that was down there couldn't get permission to open beyond 7pm because it was thought that it would attract too much night time activity.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I couldn't tell you but they do. The residents of Ship Street Gardens hate people using the alley as a cut through at night because of the noise, and have tried to get permission for a gate at each end. The HideAway Cafe that was down there couldn't get permission to open beyond 7pm because it was thought that it would attract too muchnight time activity.

I remember the residents complained about the Spiegeltent in the Pavilion gardens and had it moved. I can understand people having concerns about, say, a huge unexpected change in use, but the Hippodrome is a theatre. If I was moving to the area I'd consider the fact there was a huge theatre next door regardless of its current use.

 

[goldstone rocks]

I remember the residents complained about the Spiegeltent in the Pavilion gardens and had it moved. I can understand people having concerns about, say, a huge unexpected change in use, but the Hippodrome is a theatre. If I was moving to the area I'd consider the fact there was a huge theatre next door regardless of its current use.

It has not been a theatre since 1964. It was a bingo until 10 yrs ago and boarded up since then. Unless you are over 60yrs old you would never experienced the place as a theatre. The change of use would be from the Mecca Bingo Hall

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Unlike many of you I have been to the Hippodrome in it's glory days during the war and just after. I still have an autographed programme from 1939. But of course times change...would I like it as a music venue...no,Brighton has plenty of clubs and pubs doing live music shows. Would I like it as a cinema complex...in these days of DVDs and movie downloads and the complexes already here ...no. Have no objection as being used as a touring theatre as the theatres in Eastbourne for West End Shows and touring music stars. If I had a vote it would go to something that Brighton has really missed.....an ice rink....bring back the Brighton Tigers...the team that won the league and beat both the touring Canadians and Russians.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

I remember the residents complained about the Spiegeltent in the Pavilion gardens and had it moved. I can understand people having concerns about, say, a huge unexpected change in use, but the Hippodrome is a theatre. If I was moving to the area I'd consider the fact there was a huge theatre next door regardless of its current use.

not to mention the fact that there are already several clubs/late night bars on that road and it's next to west street. it's hardly peaceful suburbia

 

[symyjym]

Unlike many of you I have been to the Hippodrome in it's glory days during the war and just after. I still have an autographed programme from 1939. But of course times change...would I like it as a music venue...no,Brighton has plenty of clubs and pubs doing live music shows. Would I like it as a cinema complex...in these days of DVDs and movie downloads and the complexes already here ...no. Have no objection as being used as a touring theatre as the theatres in Eastbourne for West End Shows and touring music stars. If I had a vote it would go to something that Brighton has really missed.....an ice rink....bring back the Brighton Tigers...the team that won the league and beat both the touring Canadians and Russians.

Unfortunately although it was originally a purpose built ice rink, it was a small round one. We do need an ice rink though, but it couldn't go there.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

ice rink with an ice hockey team HAS to be included in the plans for black rock this time around SURELY?!

i'd also like them to bring back the brighton bears with RANDY DUCK as HEAD COACH

 

[Super Steve Earle]

It has not been a theatre since 1964. It was a bingo until 10 yrs ago and boarded up since then. Unless you are over 60yrs old you would never experienced the place as a theatre. The change of use would be from the Mecca Bingo Hall

I'm not over 60, but remember going to see Mother Goose there with my parents. I had my first chicken pox spot on the back of my neck, so remember it really well.

 

[Dick Head]

 

[goldstone rocks]

I'm not over 60, but remember going to see Mother Goose there with my parents. I had my first chicken pox spot on the back of my neck, so remember it really well.

Sorry - you are right about over 60s. I'm early 50's and never went there as it shut in 1964. I guess you must be over 53 or you have a fantastic memory of Mother Goose and a chicken pox spot as 2/3 yr old!! In reality, like me , you properly remember it as the Bingo Hall and a derelict building.

 

[trueblue]

The cinema screen certainly seems better than one of the pie-in-the-sky plans that have been so common down the years in Brighton. I'm all for saving the Hippodrome but, as nobody's done anything with it worthwhile for decades, better to have a scheme like this that is sensitive to its heritage than let it rot like the West pier. And as for the need for another multiplex... Yes please. The existing two cinemas are a scruffy disgrace. I'm sure I read a while back this is a Vue? In which case, it'll be a different class altogether to the outdated facilities we have at the moment judging by the ones I've been to elsewhere in the country.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Plans for a cinema at the Hippodrome shelved, according to The Argus today

 

[Scampi]

Who's going to be surprised if an "electrical fault" leads to it burning down.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Plans for a cinema at the Hippodrome shelved, according to The Argus today

 

[Butch Willykins]

Plans for a cinema at the Hippodrome shelved, according to The Argus today

Great, so I assume it's back to the plan of letting it rot for another 10 years.

 

[goldstone rocks]

Plans for a cinema at the Hippodrome shelved, according to The Argus today

You must be delighted. The site can remain derelict for years to come while dreamers of a return to the Good Old Days ( in time and Tv show) contemplate their navels. The Save the Hippo group are delighted but they have have not one £1 to pay the £21million they estimate they need to return the venue to a Live venue.
A bad day for our city. The only real winners are the pigeons who now live there and now won't have to be evicted.

 

[Nitram]

You must be delighted. The site can remain derelict for years to come while dreamers of a return to the Good Old Days ( in time and Tv show) contemplate their navels. The Save the Hippo group are delighted but they have have not one £1 to pay the £21million they estimate they need to return the venue to a Live venue.
A bad day for our city. The only real winners are the pigeons who now live there and now won't have to be evicted.

Sadly I agree, victory for luvvies and dreamers with no cash or plan.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Who's going to be surprised if an "electrical fault" leads to it burning down.

Indeed, chances of a "mystery fire" just went up considerably.