The historic Hulme Hippodrome theatre in Manchester is set to go under the hammer later this month and could sell for close to £1m, despite concerns raised by campaigners over the sale.
Dating back to 1901, the Hulme Hippodrome was once regarded as one of the top places to see a show. In its heyday, the music hall and variety theatre hosted well-known acts like Gracie Fields, Harry Houdini, Laurel and Hardy, and Dame Shirley Bassey. Designed by architect Joseph John Alley, who was also behind the Pavilion Theatre in Liverpool and The Plaza Stockport, the theatre could seat crowds of up to 3,000 people at each show in its prime.
A Venue with a Varied History
Over the years, the venue has also served as a bingo hall, a BBC TV studio and a snooker hall. Due to its poor state of repair, the venue was shut down in 2017 after the council issued a 'Dangerous Building Notice', requiring the owners to do works to ensure public safety.
The venue, on Warwick Street, has remained in a vulnerable state since having also been previously occupied by squatters. It has been on the Theatres at Risk Register since 2006 and was also added to the Victorian Society's Endangered Buildings list seven years ago.
Auction Details and Potential Uses
Owned by a religious group from 2003 to 2020, the building was sold to a London developer in 2020 who later attempted to sell it the following year. It was later sold in 2024 to London-based real estate company HHM 20 Ltd.
It has now been announced that the theatre will go up for auction next week (November 17), where property company Bidx1 are hoping to sell two thirds of the building for a guide price of £895,000 and above, with the remainder of the building continuing as the Niamos Centre. In an online listing, the company described the 1,685sqm space as featuring a 'magnificent' auditorium with ornate Rococo plasterwork and historic architectural detailing. In need of a complete renovation, the listing added it could be suitable for a number of different purposes.
The listing cited a feasibility study conducted in December which suggested that the space could be used as creative studios, exhibition spaces and community facilities. The auctioneer has also said there could be scope for accommodation including up to 40 apartments, but has stated there is currently no consent for this and that it would be up to the local planning authority to decide.
Campaigners Express Concerns
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Bidx1 property agent Stuart Collar-Brown said: "It's obviously Grade II-listed so anybody who buys it will have to do their due diligence before they think of doing anything to the building. There are stringent restrictions in place. A lot of people in the local area are keen for the building to be restored and keep it as it is without changing too much, it has a lot of significance. The amount of work required will have to be a huge consideration as it won't be a small job and will require specialists due to its historical status."
The Save Hulme Hippodrome (SHH) campaign has previously attempted to buy the building, with the backing of an anonymous 'angel investor' ready to help turn it into a community culture club. Speaking to the MEN earlier this year, Paul Baker of the group described the Hulme Hippodrome as the 'last working class theatre left in Manchester'. However, speaking on behalf of the group today, member Tony Baldwinson said they had 'concerns' about the auction, and feared it 'might go to an uninformed buyer'. The group said they felt the current listing failed to provide a number of assurances, including land registry ownership.
In response, BidX1 said official land registry entries will form part of a legal pack, which was published on Tuesday evening (November 11). The auctioneer reaffirmed that buyers and their solicitors will be able to view the pack before bidding, and nobody will be asked to proceed on a sale that cannot be completed. Manchester Council has also confirmed with the MEN that due to the building's listed status, there would be no consideration for demolition and any owner would be expected to retain the building and maintain it, including essential repair works.
Hulme Hippodrome will go up for auction on Tuesday, November 17.
