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THE picture postcard showed a fine old street against a clear blue sky. And I was thinking: “I wish I was there.” I looked again and realised that I was. It was an image of Derby – Irongate to be precise – probably aided by airbrush and lens filter. Then again, maybe computer wizardry wasn’t involved. On a good day, Irongate needs no help to look attractive. But had the photographer wanted to produce a similar postcard of Green Lane, they would have needed all the help that image editing software can provide. That once-thriving street looks so sad these days.
Which brings us to the Hippodrome again. Because when you’re discussing an area that marketing people call “Derby’s hidden gems”, you can’t ignore the dear old Hippo. The story is well known: man applies to demolish Grade II-listed theatre building; local authority refuse; man attempts to repair roof, resulting in partial demolition; ensuing court case doesn’t please locals; theatre building lies in an apparently ruinous state.
But wait … people, supported by English Heritage, the Theatres Trust and local building experts, argue that the damage is not irreparable. Similar situations – witness Hanley where a derelict Grade II listed cinema building has been converted into a hugely successful theatre – have been turned around to dramatic effect.
The cost of restoring the Hippodrome is nowhere near the £15-20 million touted by some (and certainly only a fraction of the cost of the proposed velodrome that hardly anyone seems to want). Despite the dismal scene that presents itself to those walking up Crompton Street, the external structure is still sound, the interior could be easily restored, so I’m told.
And what an effect that would have. I’ve fond memories of the Hippodrome. I’ve fond memories of Green Lane, too. It was once a vibrant shopping street. Which is the point: it could be again. But its best chance of a return to former glories is if the Hippodrome is functioning once more. That would lift what Marketing Derby likes to call The Lanes. It’s not fanciful. It just needs the will to do it.
Local politicians have hitherto been nervous at the prospect, but when their aim is to get more people travelling by public transport, it seems a strange logic that says Derby would be better served by yet another city centre car park than it would by a decent theatre.
I’ve said it here before: if the Hippodrome was reopened, The Lanes wouldn’t be Derby’s hidden gems because there would be one highly visible jewel in the crown. The whole area would eventually benefit. One day, Duckworth Square wouldn’t look like Ground Zero.
So refuse the planning application for a multi-storey car park (the many modifications to which, submitted just before each meeting was due, have simply caused delay and further deterioration to the building). Compulsorily purchase the Hippodrome, repair and reopen it as a theatre. Or give to those who will. Even in these cash-strapped times, it can make financial sense. Derby could attract top professional touring productions. And I understand that significant financial help for local amateur dramatics is waiting in the wings.
Whoever made it happen would have the undying gratitude of a majority of Derbeians. And that photographer wouldn’t have to rely on computer magic to show Green Lane at its best.
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
The dear old Hippo … the crown jewel of Derby's hidden gems
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2 comments:
Sometimes it may be an advantage to remember from afar the Derby you grew up in rather than actually live in what various contributors have let it become.
viz. The pleasant strolls in the Arboretum have been replaced by an invite to be attacked and robbed. The European staple of a community, the town centre, has seen dereliction as once proud store owners have been abandoned with the flight to Westfield's. (Even the Eagle Centre was located to co-exist with the pedestrian shopping habits of the townsfolk).
The demolition of many houses and businesses, thus robbing the proprietors of their livelihood, as far as thirty years ago that still could be confused for bombsites. The other jewel of Derby, Friargate Bridge that was painstakingly restored in the 1970s with paint donated by Masons and later cleaned again, free of charge, by Tidy Hire is being allowed to slowly rot away by it's custodians. The Council paid one pound for it, as it appears, to ensure no one could touch it . This is a vestige of a Derby, the inhabitants of which would have a communal turning in their graves at what has been allowed to happen to their town. But then, maybe the megatron screen can be used in years to come to show photos. of the "things that once defined Derby". Our link to a proud past, the railways, the casting companies etc.
But turning to Anton's focus, Green Lane, I recall the shops around there such as Alf James Joke shop, Powers sport store, JB furniture, was it Thompson's the agriculture store, the side entrances to Ranby's (later Debenhams) on one side of the street and the back entrance to Woolworths on the other. The beautiful childrens clothes store just below Macklin Street.
We older people can still recall the headliners we had the privilege to see at the Hippodrome. The Ted Heath Band, Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Lane, Guy Mitchell, Al Martino, to name but a few stars of music. And then the re-introduction of Pantomime season to Derby after the closing of the old Theatre in Babington Lane. What a croc that Derby people have to go to Nottingham to see pantomime.The Carrol Levis talent show. Albert Modley was one of a line of comedians I remember appearing there and the inimitable Tommy Cooper.
Nostalgia alone is not enough to make a case for it's renovation. But if the various Trusts see the value in bringing it back to its glory then I am all for it. And it is true, it could become an anchor for a district which could fill the great need of a re-emergence of pride in Derby.
Geoff Alcock, Glendale, Arizona
It should be remembered that the the building was assessed for listing in 1992 and rejected on the grounds that it had very little architectural or historic interest. However it was subsequently reappraised and received its listing
as late as 1996 (on the advice of of whom?). After many years of neglect and disuse (a reminder for those with selective memories - it was until 1930 a theatre then converted to a cinema then a theatre until 1959 when it closed. It was then revived as a bingo hall in 1961 which ceased in 2006)and due to the severe storms in 2007 the roof of the auditorium collapsed. The economic viability of the building seems to have succmbed to what is termed competition from purpose built variants of the abovementioned in parenthesis. The question for those with a financial bent is whether the reinstitution of this listed building will be economically and financially viable when/if the building os brough back to its original state given the parlous of the country's economy. History appears to suggest the opposite. Indeed how would those with vested interests measure economical viability? Hermes tresmegistus
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