History
Grade II listed it opened as The Empire in 1904 as a theatre. With a 3 tier 2,000 capacity auditorium originally with boxes as per other theatres of this age.
It was later converted to a cinema temporarily in 1932 and re-named The New Empire in 1933 when it underwent an Art Deco re-fit by the same architects who designed the Stockport Plaza. The façade was rendered and it is believed the original red brick and original 1904 features still remain underneath the render.
It was then later purchased by ABC who continued to own the lease up until 1974. The triangle pediment to the central bay was added in 1976.
Tameside council managed to get a 21 year lease in 1976 after a failed attempt to convert the now cinema into a bingo hall. The council later purchased the building in 1983 When it was renamed the Tameside Hippodrome.
In 1992 it was run by Apollo Leisure who were later bought out by Live Nation.
The theatre closed 1 April 2008 after a stand-off between various operators and Tameside council.
It was reported in the local papers that the theatre was to be demolished due to a lack of buyers and operators to continue to run it as an operating theatre. It was recognised as Grad II listed in September 2009 for it’s intact double height auditorium and remaining art deco features.
The theatre was due to re-open in 2012 but that sadly never happened. There are reports every few years of various trust groups raising funds to re-open the theatre but they all seem to fall short. Shame really as it’s not bad at all and could quite easily re open with not too much work.
Explore
Another one that I have been keeping my eye on for some time as with many others, and as always missed the chance. It’s on Instagram but not by the masses yet so best to try and keep this one on the low as it is a real gem. It usually gets well looked after but it looks like the local groups have gone a bit quiet.
Visited with @GK_WAX and @Ferret we had a pint across the street in a rather awesome looking boozer. Cheap beer, 80s synth tunes, glazed brick. WIN.
Once we were inside it was pretty chilled out, a bit dark and sadly it seems the power has fully been cut to the place so light painting it is. Buzzing to finally get it done and then to get the Majestic done on the same night too!
Pics
Start off with an external from when it was the Empire
I think this is around 1932 when it was still under going its transformation
As the ABC
Early 90's as the Hippodrome. 2 series Rov and a Mk5 Escort.
How it stands today
Found the most disgusting of hippo suits. Had to be done. In ur hippodromes in ur hippo suits.
The 1904 stage and fire curtain remain but backstage the counterweight system was updated in 2005. The fly tower still has the original wooden grid. I didn’t go up the fly as it was knocking on a bit.
Grade II listed it opened as The Empire in 1904 as a theatre. With a 3 tier 2,000 capacity auditorium originally with boxes as per other theatres of this age.
It was later converted to a cinema temporarily in 1932 and re-named The New Empire in 1933 when it underwent an Art Deco re-fit by the same architects who designed the Stockport Plaza. The façade was rendered and it is believed the original red brick and original 1904 features still remain underneath the render.
It was then later purchased by ABC who continued to own the lease up until 1974. The triangle pediment to the central bay was added in 1976.
Tameside council managed to get a 21 year lease in 1976 after a failed attempt to convert the now cinema into a bingo hall. The council later purchased the building in 1983 When it was renamed the Tameside Hippodrome.
In 1992 it was run by Apollo Leisure who were later bought out by Live Nation.
The theatre closed 1 April 2008 after a stand-off between various operators and Tameside council.
It was reported in the local papers that the theatre was to be demolished due to a lack of buyers and operators to continue to run it as an operating theatre. It was recognised as Grad II listed in September 2009 for it’s intact double height auditorium and remaining art deco features.
The theatre was due to re-open in 2012 but that sadly never happened. There are reports every few years of various trust groups raising funds to re-open the theatre but they all seem to fall short. Shame really as it’s not bad at all and could quite easily re open with not too much work.
Explore
Another one that I have been keeping my eye on for some time as with many others, and as always missed the chance. It’s on Instagram but not by the masses yet so best to try and keep this one on the low as it is a real gem. It usually gets well looked after but it looks like the local groups have gone a bit quiet.
Visited with @GK_WAX and @Ferret we had a pint across the street in a rather awesome looking boozer. Cheap beer, 80s synth tunes, glazed brick. WIN.
Once we were inside it was pretty chilled out, a bit dark and sadly it seems the power has fully been cut to the place so light painting it is. Buzzing to finally get it done and then to get the Majestic done on the same night too!
Pics
Start off with an external from when it was the Empire
I think this is around 1932 when it was still under going its transformation
As the ABC
Early 90's as the Hippodrome. 2 series Rov and a Mk5 Escort.
How it stands today
Found the most disgusting of hippo suits. Had to be done. In ur hippodromes in ur hippo suits.
The 1904 stage and fire curtain remain but backstage the counterweight system was updated in 2005. The fly tower still has the original wooden grid. I didn’t go up the fly as it was knocking on a bit.
