Brighton Hippodrome restoration given go-ahead

The Hippodrome, in Brighton, opened in 1897 as an ice rink

A historic performance venue in East Sussex will be restored after plans were approved by councillors.

The redevelopment of Brighton’s Hippodrome and Hippodrome House, in Middle Street, includes a performance space, hotel, shop, bar and private members’ club.

City councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission at a committee meeting on Wednesday.

Planning officers said any detriment caused to the building and local area by the development would be outweighed by the benefits.

'Shut for too long'

Owner Matsim, which bought the Hippodrome in 2020, will bring the main auditorium back into use as a flexible performance space and restore its decorative plasterwork.

There will be a bar and restaurant for about 100 people on the ground level, a rehearsal space on the mezzanine above the stage’s fly-tower and hotel rooms on the floor above.

The circle level will lead to an enclosed roof top bar and an external roof terrace.

Councillor Liz Loughran, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's planning committee, said: “The Hippodrome theatre is a superb historic building that has been shut for too long.

“The scheme councillors have approved will protect and restore its historic features and bring the Hippodrome back into use as another entertainment venue for the city.”

Hippodrome House shown on the left with the main Hippodrome venue on the right

Matsim amended its original plans in April last year. The council then received public comments both supporting and objecting to the scheme.

A 62-room apart-hotel will be built in the rear car park of the Hippodrome, with views on to Ship Street, with a shop on the ground floor.

Apart-hotels are apartments where you can stay for a short time, offering hotel-style services.

The ground floor of Hippodrome House will become a members’ club with a bar, lounge areas and an outside terrace.

There will be 16 apart-hotel rooms built in the upper parts of the house.