Historic England has given the strongest clue yet that there is a future for the building
An aerial shot of the Hippodrome Theatre after work had had started to improve safety and security(Image: Andy Savage YouTube@Comedyhunter)
Twelve months to the day after a third – and the most devastating – fire hit Derby’s much-loved former Hippodrome building, it is looking increasingly likely that a future use for it could be just around the corner.
Fears that the privately-owned and listed former Derby theatre, on the corner of Green Lane and Macklin Street, part of which underwent drastic demolition after the May 16 blaze, could be completely razed to the ground may be unfounded after Historic England revealed that “various options for conversion and repairs are being considered by those responsible for the building”.
Last year’s fire left just the main frontage, comprising the box office, still standing, but the auditorium was demolished and cleared after Derby City Council’s buildings consultant, Derbyshire Building Control Partnership (DCBP), was allowed to call in a demolition company when it was decided the building was unsafe – a fact disputed by heritage experts in the city.
The road was cordoned off as fire crews attempted to extinguish the blaze on May 16, 2025(Image: Derby Telegraph)
Ahead of the May 2025 arson attacks, the city council had agreed to serve an urgent works notice on the owner of the property, Christopher Anthony, requiring him to carry out the necessary work, but it wasn’t served before the fire struck.
Since then, it has been served, and in the absence of Mr Anthony carrying out the work, it was carried out by the city council earlier this year.
Historic England told Derbyshire Live that it had provided grants to the city council for the cost of the preparation of an urgent works notice (grant value £40,828) and for the costs of carrying out the works specified in the urgent works notice (grant value £104,860).
An Historic England spokesman said: “These works are intended to protect the building for the time being following the fire and partial demolition.
“Historic England believes the Hippodrome, a Grade II-listed building, can play an important role in the regeneration and vitality of the Green Lane and St Peter’s conservation area of the city.
“Various options for conversion and repairs are being considered by those responsible for the building. Historic England is ready to provide advice on proposals and to help ensure that appropriate options can be progressed.”
The Hippodrome has been derelict for almost two decades and has been damaged by arson attacks on numerous occasions, culminating in the most severe last May.
Prior to the latest fire, plans were moving ahead to try to make the theatre into an alternative music centre, spearheaded by the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT).
An aerial view inside the former theatre showing the main part of what is left following demolition(Image: Andy Savage YouTube@Comedyhunter)
A DHBT spokesman said: “Along with Historic England, we have had meetings with the city council and presented a first viability option. However, the next steps really do sit with the council.”
Owner Mr Anthony, who bought the building in 2008 and wanted to replace it with a multi-storey car park, was given a “conditional discharge” after admitting to ordering work on the listed building without permission in 2010, during which the building received substantial roof damage.
In February, he told Derbyshire Live that an injunction was brought against him at that time, which said he was unable to touch or do anything to the building.
He said that this remains in place and has limited what he can do to rectify the more recent problems on the site.
Mr Anthony was also optimistic that something could be achieved with the building after talks with the city council. But since then, there has been silence from him, although Derbyshire Live has asked him for an update on the situation.
A city council spokesman said: “We have engaged with the owner over the past year, and the primary responsibility for the site, including determining its future use, sits with its owners.
Work taking place last June to demolish large parts of the building(Image: Submitted)
“The urgent works are in the final stages and costs are being finalised. The council continues to monitor the site closely and will take any necessary actions to ensure the long-term safety and appropriate development of the area.”
Derby Civic Society has been campaigning for the theatre’s survival for many years. Society chair Ashley Waterhouse said: “The demolition of three-quarters of the Grade II listed 1914 theatre shocked many across the city.
“An iconic piece of Derby’s entertainment and cultural history was lost following emergency actions involving DBCP.
“Since then, we have led calls for transparency, accountability, and answers surrounding the decisions taken, the future of the site, and what protections remain for the surviving historic frontage.
“We will continue campaigning for meaningful action to ensure the remaining Grade II-listed frontage is preserved, protected, and not forgotten.
“We also call upon the owners and responsible authorities to meet publicly and outline their obligations, intentions, and long-term vision for the site.”
Mr Waterhouse added that the notion that “responsibility falls solely upon private owners is not enough”. He said: “Derby needs action, guidance, leadership, and support to ensure our historic environment remains safe, protected, and sustainable for future generations.
“The fight for Derby Hippodrome is not over.”
Derbyshire Live asked the city council about the cost of demolition and security for the site – the latter was something that was missing for years – and received this answer: “The council has engaged with the owner over the past year, and the primary responsibility for the site, including determining its future use, sits with its owners.
“The urgent works are in the final stages and costs are being finalised. The council continues to monitor the site closely and will take any necessary actions to ensure the long-term safety and appropriate development of the area.”
Derbyshire Live has asked Mr Anthony for a comment on the Hippodrome situation.
