The Grade II-listed Hulme Hippodrome in Manchester was built in 1901 by J. J. Alley.
Photo Credit: Ian Tatlock for The Victorian Society.
Grade II-listed, 1901, J.J. Alley
Hulme Hippodrome was constructed in 1901, to designs by J.J. Alley, and is considered characteristic of the new class of theatrical entertainment venues which emerged in England towards the Victorian fin de siècle. The main auditorium is a sumptuous and atmospheric space, decorated with painted and gilded Rococo plasterwork, and, despite later alteration affecting the significance of some parts of the building, it remains largely in its original state. It incorporates straight rows of seats to the balconies, which was an atypical arrangement in earlier theatres, but characteristic of venues in the wider Broadhead Theatre circuit, and is considered a significant early example of brand direction in architectural design. The theatre closed in 1962, later finding use as a bingo hall, a casino, a nightclub, and finally a church, before falling out of use entirely in 2018. The future of this Manchester landmark now hangs in the balance, and having being sold at auction on 18 May this year for £325,000, it is now up to the new owner to restore the building and potentially return it to its original use.
Christopher Costelloe, Director of the The Victorian Society, said: ‘There is nothing sadder than a shuttered theatre. Central Manchester’s increasing prosperity has not yet spread to Hulme, which cannot afford to lose assets such as this splendid building.’
Status Update / March 2026
The Save Hulme Hippodrome campaign group was launched in 2021 with the objective of restoring the building. Subsequently, Manchester City Council served the owner with a Section 215 notice, requiring them to carry out urgent repairs. More recently, the campaign group has released a proposal for the building, outlining plans for a phased community acquisition and restoration project. Several fundraising initiatives have been conducted by the group so far, including a concert which raised more than £40,000, and the group is currently exploring a bit to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.