Levelling Up the Hippodrome

To say the Levelling Up Fund has enabled the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre to transform would surely be an understatement. Twelve months of hard work and tireless planning have enabled the much-loved theatre to expand and modernise – not only future-proofing the original Edwardian building but making use of the long-vacant pub space next door. The latter has been renovated into a stunning modern bar area, with new toilets, an updated box office, and upstairs function rooms available to hire. An accessible street-level entrance is now also in place, which, combined with the new lifts front-of-house and backstage, finally enables wheelchair access to the auditorium and onto the stage.

First built in 1914 by Colne-born architect George Fort, the theatre’s varied history is defined by transformation in many ways. Starting life as a cini-variety theatre, presenting variety acts and screening ‘talkies’, the Hippodrome eventually became a bingo hall during the mid-1960s, before then being saved from closure by the clubbing together of local operatic societies, reopening in 1986 as the theatre known and loved by locals to this day. This new refurbishment only further guarantees continued prosperity for the Hippodrome, with modernisation and expansion ensuring local performers, schools, dance, and drama dance groups can continue to call this theatre their home for many years to come.

“Then – a little over a year ago, and quite out of the blue – we got a call from one of the local councillors who told us they were putting together a grant application for the heritage quarter.”

Initial plans to expand the theatre began nine years ago, following the closure of the pub next door, the Derby Arms. “We were short of space, we didn’t really have enough front-of-house toilets, and we had no accessible disabled facilities,” explains Kevin Mason, chairman of the Hippodrome’s Board of Directors. “It was a real struggle for us. But when we took occupancy of the Derby Arms, change began to feel possible – it needed a lot of work doing, but we had a vision… until we quickly realised that we couldn’t afford everything we planned!”

Over the years, the pub space stayed unused, essentially additional storage for the theatre. “It was in a sorry state,” Kevin recalls, “and even our plan B to cut costs was still too expensive. Then – a little over a year ago, and quite out of the blue – we got a call from one of the local councillors who told us they were putting together a grant application for the heritage quarter. Hastily, we put our plans together, sent it all off, and – low and behold – we were successful and were delighted to be given an absolutely fantastic sum of money to start, at last, putting things into place.”

Work on transforming the Hippodrome has been tireless for the past 12 months, with the theatre finally opening its doors to the public for the Blues Weekend back in August. But despite all the new additions, the team has also worked hard to protect the original historic features of the two buildings. “It was essential for us to preserve a lot of the old features as best as we could,” says Kevin. “The new box office foyer has had its original panelling repainted; the central staircase has kept its grand balustrade, plasterwork, and feature stained-glass window (though one is now a replica); and we’ve made sure to maintain the Edwardian look of the theatre itself. We hope audiences will also fall in love with the new facilities as much as we have!” he laughs.

“If ever there were any snags or hiccups along the way, they always overcame them.”

The community spirit so vital for the endurance of theatres like the Hippodrome was also preserved during the refurbishment downtime, mainly through the employment of local contractors and tradesmen across the whole renovation process. “It’s been great to have so many local workers aiding the project,” says Kevin, “all employed by Readstone Construction, who we really can’t thank enough. They truly did an incredible job for us. Everyone was brilliant to work with, very accommodating, and, if ever there were any snags or hiccups along the way, they always overcame them.”

But even now the renovations are complete, the theatre is still in need of volunteers and is still much reliant on community support to continue to survive. “Particularly now we have this bigger bar area, we’re in need of extra stewards and bar staff – people can always drop an email to our secretary if they are interested in applying. But we’re always open to volunteers more broadly, too. A lot of parents get involved through their children being in the Youth Theatre – in fact that’s how I first got involved! The help from the wider community is vital to the running of the theatre, and we couldn’t do anything without them.

The theatre’s recent £1.6 million refurbishment is truly nothing short of incredible, with both modernisation and expansion finally possible thanks to Government funding and the tireless work of local tradesmen, councillors, and Hippodrome volunteers. With an exciting future ahead of them – namely upcoming youth theatre performances of Grease, Six, and High School Musical – it’s clear that this new renovation will go a long way in preserving the Hippodrome’s instrumental role in the thriving world of local theatre.

Read more about the Pendle Hippodrome’s history here.

NorthernLife Sep/Oct/Nov 24