Tameside Hippodrome remains on ‘At Risk’ register while Hyde venue removed

The Tameside Hippodrome. Image by GGC Media

AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE theatre has been named on a national at risk register for the 16th consecutive year.

But the threat surrounding the Tameside Hippodrome has been reduced to its lowest level.

And the group looking to revive it has told The Correspondent of its pride at seeing its score lowered.

Its rating of five is made up of two for community rating, two for star value and only one of risk factor, when three is the highest level.

And Keith Oldham, of the Ashton Empire and Hippodrome (Building) group, said: “The score means that the theatre is seen as being of high community value and high architectural/historical value, but the risk of its loss is now very low.

“When I started campaigning for the Hippodrome to be restored it was rated “8,” so I’m very happy to see the progress we’ve made.

Tameside Hippodrome in Ashton-under-Lyne

“The group, Ashton Empire Hippodrome (Building) Ltd recently submitted its business plan for the theatre to Tameside Council and this will form the basis for discussions with council officers over the coming weeks.”

The Theatres Trust has once again included the Grade II listed Oldham Road venue on its list of what is now 43 around eh country at risk.

Described as, ‘a rare theatre survival, illustrating the interwar fashion of adaption to cinema and retaining a wealth of art deco features from the 1930s re-fit,’ it has been closed since 2008.

But its latest assessment offers hope as it states: “Recent research and careful measurement have revealed that the 1930s changes to the central portion of the façade were not as invasive as previously thought.

“The windows are, in fact, original to the 1904 building with the stained-glass design closely resembling an early design by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It is believed that the entire 1904 brick façade is intact underneath.”

Tameside Hippodrome has been the centre of efforts to renovate it by Ashton Empire and Hippodrome (Building).

However, the trust’s latest report says: “The building remains vacant and there are ongoing concerns about its deterioration, although repair works to the roof were carried out in 2024.

“In October 2020, Tameside Council added the Hippodrome to its list of assets for disposal. The conditions stipulate that acquisition proposals require a level of social and financial sustainability.

“While this could help provide a route for asset transfer to community ownership and onward to restoration and live performance use, the potentially wide scope of the conditions cast additional uncertainty around the building’s future.

“A local group has been campaigning for the building with the ambition to upgrade and refurbish the theatre to its former glory.

“In 2020, the group set up Ashton Empire and Hippodrome (Building) Ltd, a private company limited by guarantee with the aim that this company could take the acquisition of the building, carry out the necessary works to restore the theatre and be responsible for the maintenance of the building fabric.

“In April 2023, Ashton Empire Hippodrome (Building) Ltd was awarded £5,000 through our Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities programme to strengthen the governance of the group and map out the steps the group needed to take its vision for the building forward.

“Since then, the group has been continuing with its organisational development work to include creating a business plan and community engagement work to create a viable future for the building.

“The aim is to take a community asset transfer of the building from the council and to reopen the theatre for the people of Ashton-Under-Lyne and wider local area.

“Theatres Trust will continue to provide advice and support to see this important theatre reopened for its local community.”

A total of five theatres have been added to the At Risk register, with one local landmark removed, through a combination of pressures on local authority budgets and the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their structures.

The one taken off is Hyde’s Theatre Royal, now used at the Islamic Resource Centre, after the group behind it was granted listed building consent to carry out various works including roof repairs and alterations to facilitate its use as a cultural centre.

And the fact it is in regular use as that means the threat of harm to the building has reduced to the extent where the Grade II listed structure is no longer on the Theatres at Risk Register, although it may be in future.

Keith added: “The roof has been repaired, the alterations have been carried out with listed building consent and, should there be sufficient demand in the future, the building can physically be restored as a working theatre.”

Theatres Trust Director Joshua McTaggart said: “We understand that local authorities are faced with making tough decisions, but the savings made in the short term will leave communities without vital facilities.

“Buildings where RAAC is present are particularly tricky, but it is important that communities are not left without theatre provision.

“Theatres Trust wants to work with local authorities and theatre operators to explore all possible options and find solutions to put theatres on a firmer footing.”