Bo'ness Hippodrome reopens after revamp
by Pete Hayman | 16 Apr 2009
A historic cinema in Bo'ness, the oldest purpose-built building of its kind in Scotland, has screened its first film since 1975 following the completion of an extensive £2.15m refurbishment earlier this month.
First opened in 1912, the A-listed Hippodrome reopened to the local community on 6 April following the revamp, which has seen extensive work carried out on both the interior and exterior of the venue, including the installation of new seating and the restoration of the 1926 decorative scheme. The original copper dome above the manager's office has been restored, while the building has been re-roofed. New digital and 35mm projection systems have also been installed, along with new sound equipment, a new screen and the creation of a new kitchen and a café-bar have also been created.
Designed by Linlithgow-based architect, Pollock Hammond Partnership, the initial £1.95m restoration programme was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the council through the Township Heritage Initiative. Historic Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Falkirk Environment Trust and the Manifold Trust also contributed towards the scheme, while a £200,000 technical revamp of the venue was funded by Falkirk Council and the Scottish Arts Council.
Scottish culture minister Michael Russell said: "The Hippodrome typifies what we are looking for in a Historic Scotland grant application – it is architecturally and historically impressive, provides a real link to the past and is now benefiting the community it serves. "Historic Scotland's recent publication on historic cinemas celebrates the Hippodrome as Scotland's first purpose-built cinema, much loved by audiences for decades, but it is important to remember that this was once a Building at Risk, and it took dedication, passion and commitment to get to this point."
The Hippodrome, which is owned by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and leased to the council, was also a bingo venue during the 1960s before it stopped showing films in 1975. It finally closed down in 1980 and was left to fall into disrepair until October 2006.
A historic cinema in Bo'ness, the oldest purpose-built building of its kind in Scotland, has screened its first film since 1975 following the completion of an extensive £2.15m refurbishment earlier this month. First opened in 1912, the A-listed Hippodrome reopened to the local community on 6 April following the revamp, which has seen extensive work carried out on both the interior and exterior of the venue, including the installation of
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