Derby vision for 'Rock City-style' music venue

The building has seen better days - but a trust sees its future as a music venue

Conservationists say they have a vision to turn a 121-year-old theatre into "the Rock City of Derby".

The Grade II-listed former Hippodrome theatre on Green Lane opened its doors in 1914 and was last used as a bingo hall before it shut in 2007.

The Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust says it remains determined to bring the building back to life - and hopes to create something similar to the Rock City alternative music venue in Nottingham.

Trust chairman Derek Latham said: "We want to use it for an alternative music venue. Sort of Derby's Rock City, if you like."

The Hippodrome has a long history as a theatre and then cinema

The trust said it had been saving buildings for more than 50 years across the county, including 55 railway cottages opposite Derby railway station and the Brunswick Inn pub.

Mr Latham said of the Hippodrome: "There's a big history related to Derby's cultural past, of it being a theatre and a cinema.

"As the theatre, it had great acts in like Mary Lloyd, Flanagan and Alan, and so on, in between times, it would show a film - you came along for a complete performance.

"It was very busy."

He said the site was in a "desperate" state, but the trust planned to compulsory purchase the building to reopen it back up in stages and make it viable.

Derek Latham, a retired architect, said the site could fill a gap in the cultural offering of Derby

Mr Latham says there is gap in the market for a medium-sized live music venue somewhere between an arena and smaller venues.

The trust acknowledges it faces barriers; the building is currently privately-owned, in need of urgent repairs and is also Grade II-listed, which restricts what can be done to it.

"We've been around for over 50 years, we've saved over a 100 buildings, and there's no project we've taken on that we haven't completed and restored," said Mr Latham.

"The roof's collapsed, the place is completely derelict, but our vision is to see it restored partially to make it usable."

The venue is in a "desperate" state" after it shut in 2007

Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield said the authority was keen to work with the owner and stakeholders to "explore opportunities".

She said: "The Hippodrome is a prominent building which has been left to fall into decline.

"We value the expertise and dedication of Derbyshire Historic Building Trust, and we are supporting them to develop potential solutions to conserve Derby's historic environment."

The 121-year-old venue was last used as a bingo hall