Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness

History

The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo'Ness is an early example of a purpose built cinema, and is thought to be the oldest such building surviving in Scotland. The cinema opened in 1911 and was built for the Bo'ness cinematography pioneer Louis Dickson and designed by renowned local architect Matthew Steele.

The name and circular form of the building Steele produced for Dickson might suggest it was originally designed as a circus or theatre venue for travelling shows, but the earliest known plans, dated October 1911, show no evidence of this, but do show a dedicated Operators box for a projector, and are labelled 'Proposed Picture Palace, Hope Street'.

Constructed on a corner site, the Hippodrome consists of a circular auditorium with wrap-around gallery facing a proscenium and small stage. What little ancillary space was wrapped around this, filling in the corners of the site. The Oct 1911 plans show that at this stage, the lavatories were 'to be built later'. The flat roof was supported on three girders, running parallel to the screen.

In 1926 when the cinema underwent various transformations - by the original architect - including adding a domed roof and ticket office. The building remained in use as a cinema until the late 60's when it was turned into a bingo hall and remained as this until 1980 when it closed. Since then it was left abandoned at the mercy of vandals.

The building was listed Category B by Historic Scotland in 1979, and this was upgraded to Category A in 2004.

Future

Following grants from various organisations amounting to £1.8 million, the cinema has been undergoing renovation since the middle of 2006. This was largely completed on 14 February 2008 where the keys were handed over to its new owner, Falkirk District Council. The cinema is now going through its final phase where the modern cinema projection and sound equipment are being added before opening once again as a cinema in late 2008. The building is also planned to be used as an exhibition centre by day.

External links

* [http://www.bo-ness.org.uk Bo'ness web site]
* [http://www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/scotland/boness.html Scottish Cinemas: Detailed history and photo survey]
* [http://www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/scotland/hippodrome_feb08/index.html Photos of the handover to Falkirk District Council February 2008]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7245467.stm BBC News coverage of refurbishment]
* [http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/portal.hsstart?P_HBNUM=22380 Historic Scotland Listed Building Description]