Bo'ness Hippodrome reopens after revamp
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.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Why shouldn’t sports facilities be beautiful? Across Asia, architects are creating landmark buildings for the public, discovers Christopher de Wolf