Skip to main content

Grand Theatre And Hippodrome

2235

Externally little altered except at ground floor level since opening in 1908, the Hippodrome has a well preserved four storey façade making a bold statement on a prominent y-junction site; Edwardian baroque in red brick and buff terracotta. Symmetrical, in five bays, the outer two slightly advanced as short towers with segmental gabled tops. The altered central entrance has a broad semi-circular arch with exaggerated voussoirs forming a sunburst effect. This contained a charming stained glass window, now plain glass. Three mullioned windows above divided by rustic-banded pilasters. Slated roof with a little cowled feature on the ridge. Low fly tower.

In 1939 the theatre closed for radical modernisation which had little effect on the external appearance. The auditorium was remodelled in Art Deco style. In early 1955, after thirty-three years as a cinema, the Hippodrome returned to live entertainment as a variety theatre but was sold in 1956 to the Rank Organisation, who redecorated the interior and reopened it as an Odeon cinema. It was twinned by Classic in 1969 and closed as Laserquest in 1989. In 1996 there was a proposal to reopen as a cinema but the building was again sold in 1998. The ground floor was converted to a club and bar with strident painted decorations and a lumpy cladding to the entrance canopy. In 2007 permission was granted for conversion to a pub, a use in which it still survives. The Hippodrome remains a major landmark in Leigh.

Built / Converted
1908
Dates of use
  • 1908 - 1992: & 1995
Current state
Extant
Current use
Licensed premises
Address
Leigh Road, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 1QR, England
Website-
Further details
Other names
Palace Theatre of Varieties , Hippodrome Cinema , Odeon , Classic , The Thomas Burke
Events
  • Owner/Management: later: the Mason Organisation
  • 1908 Design/Construction:
    Prescott & Bold (Wigan)
    - Architect
    Edward Wood & Co (Manchester)
    - Consultant
    steelwork
    J C Edwards
    - Consultant
    terra cotta
    Wilkins & Brother (Liverpool)
    - Consultant
    fibrous plaster scenery seating safety curtain
  • 1908 Owner/Management: Leigh Grand Theatre & Hippodrome, Ltd
  • 1908 - 1992 Use: & 1995
  • 1939 Alteration: completely modernised.
    Gray Evans & Crossley (Liverpool)
    - Architect
    C Harrison & Sons (Golbourne
    - Consultant
    Lanc) carpets and seating
  • 1956 Owner/Management: Odeon Theatres Ltd
  • 1969 - 1989 Owner/Management: Classic, then Cannon Cinemas Ltd
  • 2007 Owner/Management: J D Wetherspoon
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Original
    Description
    1902
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    1943: 1350
Listings
  • Listing
    Not listed
Stage type
Rake
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: Original