The future of Derby’s Grade II listed theatre, the Hippodrome was thrown into uncertainty again following an application to demolish part of the building to make way for a multi-storey car park, office and retail complex.
Owner Christopher Anthony plans to build the car park behind the existing frontage of the theatre, but promises that those parts of the building which have not been irretrievably lost, are structurally sound and contribute to the local street scene will be retained and internal decorative plaster work will be restored “as far as practicable.”
Parts of the venue were demolished by last March before the city council ordered a halt. However a council spokesman said that the council could not force the owner to use the building as a theatre. “We are, however, trying to facilitate a realistic and practical use for the building.”
Theatres Trust Director Mhora Samuel said, ‘How will a multi-storey car park bring Derby Hippodrome back to life as a theatre or provide any cultural benefit to the City? The Theatres Trust would object strongly to any application that proposes this. To lose the building in this way would be a total tragedy.’