Hippodrome Cinema - Bo'ness

The Hippodrome project has involved the repair and conversion of a building of great importance in the history of cinema, development of 20th Century architecture and for cultural life in Bo’ness.

The Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) acquired the already derelict Hippodrome in 1996. In the following years SHBT worked with local groups to identify potential uses for the building to secure its future. Several proposals failed, primarily through lack of revenue funding plans, and it was only in 2003 that the Trust and Falkirk Council were able to realise a project for the repair of the building to provide contemporary cinema facilities.

The proposals were developed by the Council and SHBT together and sought to steer a balance between the sensitive repair of the Category "A" Listed Building and its sensitive and non-destructive conversion to create a modern venue. It was important that as much of the historic fabric be retained as was practically possible. This included elements dating from the original construction and from subsequent alterations, each of which had responded to developing film technology and cinema legislation. The Brief called for the retention of the character of the building as well as for much of the fabric itself. It also included the provision of new toilets, a sweety counter and bar, ticketing facilities, seating, and of course, film screening equipment.

The poor condition of the exterior of the building had long been an embarrassment for Bo’ness, but local feelings towards the building were such that there was strong support for its repair. The proposals therefore sought to repair the exterior, as far as possible, to reflect the buildings appearance during its heyday in the early to mid-20th Century. The setting of the building, on an important road junction in the town, was improved as part of the Bo’ness THI, immediately prior to the commencement of the building repairs. The proposals for the streetscape improvements were drafted as an integral part of the Hippodrome proposals and included formation of a raised platform at the principal entrance, ramped access and widening of the pedestrian area.

Specialist investigation work of the historic finishes was commissioned to appropriate internal decoration. The project was not, however, a straight restoration or reconstruction. The interior was designed to retain the early character of the building rather than to reverse the many alterations. New lighting was installed, most of the remaining seats were repaired, and the design of the proscenium arch was modeled on its appearance in 1926, when the original flat roof had been replaced with the current pitched arrangement. New seating was introduced on the balcony and in the stalls, where most of the floor had been lost to rot and fire. New freestanding internal pods, containing toilets and serveries, were installed at the rear of the auditorium and a new screen, sound system and contemporary projection equipment (including digital and conventional projectors) were installed.

The project had strong local involvement from the start. Extensive community consultation was organised by the Council and significant numbers of visitors attended the several open days, held during and following completion of the repairs. There was overwhelming support for the project. Substantial numbers of people expressed their affection for the building and offered their memories of it. The Trust and Council have recorded many of these stories and, assisted by local school pupils, have documented the history of The Hippodrome.

The Hippodrome re-opened in Spring 2009 with a red-carpet event, attended by the project team and local people, including former staff.

Summary
The Hippodrome was built to designs of local Architect Matthew Steele and opened in 1912. It was one of Scotland’s first purpose-built cinemas and is the earliest to survive. The Cinema remained in use until the 1980s but then fell into disuse and decay. It was becoming increasingly derelict and was at risk of being lost when the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust secured a major repair and conversion project, which included Falkirk Council as operators. The project costs, in excess of £1.8m, were met jointly by The Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Falkirk Council and other grant giving Trusts and Funders.

Architect: Gareth Jones of The Pollock Hammond Partnership

Falkirk Council has worked closely with Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) in the project development and execution of the restoration of (arguably) Scotland’s earliest surviving purpose-built cinema, the Hippodrome in Bo’ness. Following the completion of the restoration, we have taken this A-listed building – a beautiful example of pre-art deco architecture - on a 20 year lease. The Hippodrome was re-opened on 9th April 2009, following two launch ceremonies: a Community Launch featuring a screening of “Mamma Mia” on 6th April, and a “Red Carpet” event the following night to thank all the funders and supporters of the project. Under the Council’s management, the Hippodrome features a year-round programme of cinema screenings as well as related heritage and community engagement events. By re-opening the Hippodrome, Falkirk Council has been able to bring the latest Hollywood Blockbusters to the local community, whilst at the same time screening the best in British, European and world cinema, classic movies and forgotten or little known local and national archive footage.

The last picture show in the Hippodrome was screened in 1975 and after a brief spell as a bingo hall, the building lay derelict, regarded with nostalgia but also considered to be an eyesore, until the refurbishment process began. So, the re-opening was eagerly awaited! The refurbished Hippodrome meets the expectations of the modern cinema-goer with digital projection and state-of-the art sound while the interior has been restored to the 1920’s decorative scheme with plush red velvet seats and drapes, dramatic paintwork and a star-studded ceiling. Overall, the Hippodrome recreates the experience the golden age of cinema-going using the latest technology.

As the Hippodrome’s first post-restoration year comes to an end, here’s just a sample of what we’ve done: the programme is designed to appeal to all ages – our Saturday matinee strand, Jeely Jar screenings, have featured the newest releases (Monster vs Aliens, Up) alongside children’s favourites (Bambi, Babe and Mr Bean’s Holiday); we have daytime screenings for adults with a mix of new releases and classics, all accompanied by a warming cuppa and home baking. We have Baby Friendly screenings, an opportunity for parents and carers to catch up with the latest movies but without worrying about any noise the wee ones might make! Our recent Christmas season was a real nostalgia fest featuring firm festive favourites “White Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”. We’ve also run a series of special events with a variety of partners including Scottish Screen Archive and the Workers Educational Association including ‘Working Life in the Forth Valley’ and ‘The Best Day of the Year’. We’ve established Big Screen Bo’ness to curate screenings for younger people. The Hippodrome is more than just a cinema - ‘The Shutdown’ was a multi-media collaboration between writer Alan Bisset and musician Adam Stafford mixing film, writing and live music.

Falkirk Council endorses the nomination of SHBT for its work in saving a rare and beautiful example of pre-art deco cinema architecture. SHBT has worked on the Hippodrome Project since 1996 and following the £2.1 million restoration project has not only saved an important building, but also brought life back into the local community. The restoration process has respected the original features; furniture and fittings have been re-used where possible (including some original seats and signage) retaining the original ambience of the interior. The restoration was supported by the Bo’ness Townscape Heritage Initiative and the technical fit out was supported by the National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council. The re-opening of the Hippodrome, situated right in the centre of Bo’ness’ historic town centre, has been warmly greeted by the local community –grandparents who can recall with nostalgia their courting days in the back row and can explain to their grandchildren what “Jeely Jar” screenings are all about; young people who have a cinema on their doorstep instead of a bus journey away, and local businesses who see the Hippodrome as a valuable element in the revitalisation of the town centre. The restoration of the Hippodrome as a cinema provides the town and the wider area once again with a unique landmark: iconic, visible and marketable.

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is a charitable organisation, founded in 1985 with the aim of preserving for the benefit of Scotland at large, whatever Scottish historical, architectural and constructional heritage may exist in the form of buildings of particular beauty or historical architectural/constructional merit. It is a Building Preservation Trust that is limited by guarantee and has charitable status.

The Trust was set up to save, by direct action, buildings of architectural or historical importance whose future may otherwise be at risk. SHBT acquired the Hippodrome Cinema in 1996, following a feasibility study and options appraisal, work commenced on site in September 2006. Less than three years later the cinema once again has opened to the public.

The Trust was generously supported financially by Bo’ness Townscape Heritage Initiative, Historic Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Falkirk Environmental Trust and the Manifold Trust. In particular, the Trust is grateful for the support of Falkirk Council in the project development and the local community for their involvement, knowledge and memories of the building, which all added to the restoration programme.

We are delighted with the final result, both in terms of the restoration work on the Pre-Art Deco Building (Design Team led by The Pollock Hammond Partnership) and in the fact that our tenants (Falkirk Council) have once again enabled a local cinema to be open and accessible to the public. We and Falkirk Council have participated in a number of Doors Open Days and Public Consultation Events with the local people, who have re-iterated how pleased they are to once again have access to this lovely building, which brings back a sense of a community focal point in the centre of Bo’ness. Movie fans of all ages (from toddlers to seniors) are now able to attend a mixture of Hollywood Blockbuster Movies to small local low budget home movie performances. In particular, a short documentary film (produced by SATV) was commissioned during the restoration process, whereby local people (including ex-employees of the cinema in it’s hey day) were interviewed about their memories of the past and their thoughts on the restoration project. This included ex-usherettes, projectionists and old courting couples, all of whom were congratulatory about the end result.

The Trust is pleased that such an important, rare and fine building has been restored, and at the same time is bringing joy to people’s lives, not just via the beauty of the building, but because of the restoration of the community spirit within Bo’ness.