A local community Crowdfunder has been launched in an attempt to raise vital funds to save the Hulme Hippodrome from future redevelopment.
The Hulme Hippodrome first opened its doors in the Manchester suburb on 7th October 1901.
Originally known as the Grand Junction Theatre and Floral Hall, the Grade II listed building was designed by architect J.J. Alley, built alongside the Hulme Playhouse – with both venues being connected by an arcade – and formed part of the theatrical empire of W. H. Broadhead, with the company’s headquarters also at the centre.
The theatre itself initially staged dramatic productions, while the Hulme Playhouse presenting several variety performances.
But in 1905, the names and functions of the two adjacent theatres were interchanged, meaning that the current Hulme Hippodrome became the Grand Junction, and the variety performances were then transferred to the new Hippodrome.
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The Hulme Hippodrome was last used as a theatre in the 1960s, and from the mid-1970s until its eventual closure in 1988, it was used as a bingo hall.
Since then though, most of the building has remained empty and derelict.
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Coming as a devastating blow to the local community and all those who had spent happy times there over the years, it was thus first placed on Manchester City Council’s Buildings At Risk Register, then was added to the Theatre Trust’s newly-created Theatres At Risk Register in 2006, and in September 2019, was named on the Victorian Society’s list of the top ten most endangered buildings in England and Wales.
The latest “kick in the stomach” arrived today though, as the iconic venue was listed at online auction for a guide price of £950,000+, with residential redevelopment of the site long being rumoured, but campaign group, Save The Hulme Hippodrome, has plans to stop this.
The group is fighting to return the building to use by the people of Hulme.
The campaign group is made up of local residents and supporters who want to see change.
They have a long-term vision for Hulme Hippodrome, and are keen to use the building for a Museum of Manchester Musical Art, a theatre production school, a bike hub, library and bakery, which could all provide opportunities for the people of Hulme to play a part in the next stage of the theatre’s story.
Playing a driving force in the campaign group is Oli Wilson – son of Factory Records founder Tony Wilson – who runs PeaceMeal, a social enterprise bakery and employment academy in the NIAMOS Centre in the co-joined Hulme Playhouse.
“It was just a huge shock to find out it had been put to auction and it only gave us [just over two] weeks to get a response and campaign together,” Oli told The Manc.
“The Hippodrome has played an important role in Manchester’s arts and communities for over 100 years.
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“It could, and should, go on for another 100 years [so] to have this legacy and future potential destroyed, so that a few may turn a profit, would be a gargantuan hit for both people and the arts in Manchester.”
Oli also revealed that, while stable for now, the Playhouse will be put at risk if the Hippodrome continues to deteriorate, but the group’s long-term plan would see the two theatres run as complementary community hubs, and ultimately save this local gem before it’s lost forever.
And then, right when it was needed most, good luck struck for the campaign group as they successfully managed to get the Hippodrome site withdrawn from auction just as it was due to go to sale at midday today.
With over £3,400 already raised, they are aiming to hit £10,000 to pay for initial legal and survey costs, which would be vital first steps in acquiring the building and starting planning for its future as a venue for the community.
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Oli continued: “We’re raising a pot of money to get a proper survey done and a schedule of works for the full renovation, as well as bring a solid business plan together about the future value of the building and how it can run as a business which is an asset to the community.
“The building is structurally fine [but] it just needs some love and TLC.
“We’re also working with Manchester City Council to have it listed as an ‘Asset of Community Value’, which would hopefully protect it’s future too”.
The campaign has already started to receive support from several local trusts and initiatives, with Claire Appleby, Architecture Adviser from Theatres Trust – the national charity that campaigns to protect theatres – saying: “Hulme Hippodrome, which is on our Theatres at Risk list, is in grave danger of being damaged beyond repair and it could have been bought by speculative developer, who does not appreciate what a gem this building is.”
And it’s clear to see how much it all means to Mancunians too.
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Paul Baker – spokesperson for the Save The Hulme Hippodrome Campaign – added: “Without urgent action, we are in serious danger of losing the building, along with the cultural memories it holds.
“We urge the people the wider Manchester area to come together and help save this wonderful building.”
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You can find more information about the future of the Hulme Hippodrome, as well as join in and contribute to the last chance fight to transform this iconic venue via the official Crowdfunder here.
All the latest updates can also be found on the Friends of Hulme Hippodrome group here.
#SaveTheHulmeHippodrome
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The story behind Sâlo: the rising Georgian-born Salford artist set be one of the region’s next stars
Danny Jones
We always love stories of people moving to Manchester to be more creatively engaged, but tales of entire families relocating here for a better life and art being born out of it is something truly special – and besides her obvious talent, that’s what has attracted us and plenty others to Sâlo.
This up-and-coming Salfordian artist may have been born around the border between Eastern Europe and Western Asia during a particular fraught time for her country, but she’s been raised and moulded like so many of us by this city’s rich music culture and wider artistic heritage.
She came to the UK with her family as a baby, with her parents fleeing poverty and lingering friction in Georgia following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 90s, and their journey as asylum seekers eventually brought them here to the North West.
It was clear from a young age that Sâlo (short for Salome) had a gift for the piano, but it was when her family moved to the Greater Manchester area that her own interest in genres and styles began to develop. Here’s a little snippet of her recent performance at the stunning Stoller Hall.
This short video was taken from her feature in a recent episode of Manchester: Unplugged, the web series by StreamGM that launched just last year and spotlights local songwriters.
Honing in on one of her newest releases, ‘Set Me Free’, which taps into that pure love for the keys.
While this clip shows a stripped-back version of the fully-fledged electronic studio version, with production playing a key role in defining her sound, she blends everything from classical music and jazz to neo-soul as well as drum and bass.
You hear the phrase ‘genre-bending’ thrown around a lot these days, but if this mid-20s star in the making isn’t the epitome of that term, then we don’t know who is.
Speaking more about her background in the short documentary film, which aired on YouTube this week, she talks about her first memory of visiting Forsyth Music Shop in Manchester city centre, and the inspiration behind the track in question.
You watch the Sâlo episode of Manchester: Unplugged in full here.
Detailed in the description of the newest edition of the online show, “Classically trained from the age of four, Sâlo’s journey runs through some of Manchester’s most important music spaces”, including time spent at the RNCM and Chetham’s School of Music and more.
As for the tune itself, not only do the lyrics revolve around a difficult patch in a personal relationship – this being one of the first times she felt like she’s fully opened up and not held back on letting people know what she’s speaking about – but it’s also the first track she’s produced and mixed entirely on her own.
Painstakingly mastered from a small studio at home, she almost “fell out of love” with the song altogether, but getting back to that simple joy of playing piano helped revive her passion for it.
With a stunning voice, natural musical talent when it comes to her instrument, and a great blend of different analogue and digital influences, Sâlo is definitely one to watch moving forward.
Tracey Neville appointed as Managing Director of brand new Stockport County Women’s team
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have finally and officially launched their new women’s team in what they are hailing as a “new era” for the female football in the area.
Moreover, they’ve hired an experienced international coach to head up the department, with Tracey Neville MBE selected as the Managing Director of the new outfit.
Sister to footballing brothers Phil and Gary Neville, but with an oft-overlooked impressive reputation of her own – having not only won bronze at both the 1998 Commonwealth Games and World Netball Championship in ’99 before going on to coach her national team – she arrives with plenty of pedigree.
Now swapping her discipline for a different set of nets, Tracey Neville will lead the pre-existing Stockport County Ladies setup into their next modern chapter as the SCFC Women.
The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
Writing in a short announcement on social media, the Hatters said: “The club is delighted to announce the launch of Stockport County Women, marking an exciting new era for women’s football in our town.
“Founded in 1989 as Stockport County Ladies, the team has spent 37 years as a volunteer-led community club, providing opportunities for women and girls across the borough.
“From the 2026–27 season, the team will compete as Stockport County Women, reflecting the growth of the women’s game and the club’s commitment to equality and opportunity.”
Also confirming the appointment of an experienced women’s and international sports personality, Tracey Neville, as the new MD, they’ve issued a clear mission statement.
Put simply, she and the rest of her staff are going to be tasked with creating “a clear pathway from grassroots to elite women’s football for Stopfordians.”
Commenting on her new role in a lengthier club statement, Neville said: “I am incredibly proud to be joining Stockport County at such a pivotal moment for the club and for the women’s game.
“My career in elite sport has shown me what is possible when there is a clear vision, strong leadership and a genuine commitment to developing talent from the ground up. Women’s football is at a defining point, and Stockport has the opportunity to do something special.
She goes on to add: “This is a community club with deep roots, and my focus will be on creating a clear, credible pathway for girls and women to progress, while building the standards, culture and infrastructure needed to compete at the highest level.”
“We want young girls in Stockport to believe that they can reach the top of the game without leaving their community. That’s how you build something powerful, sustainable and truly representative of the people it serves.”
This comes following another major announcement with the news of the next phase of the infrastructural development, with the wider football club set to take control of Stockport Sports Village (SSV) and turn it into the home not only of the youth academy, but County Women and grassroots club Stockport Town.
As for Stockport County Women, it was only last year that they were playing against Liverpool’s female senior first team at Edgeley Park, and with all the investment happening in and around the organisation, you can expect more dates like these in the near future.
Stockport County Ladies become Women from next season onwards.
Emily Sergeant -
10th February 2021 
