Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness

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. It opened in 1912, built for the Bo'ness cinematography pioneer Louis Dickson and designed by the renowned local architect Matthew Steele. The building is designated as a Category A listed building. The Hippodrome is a stunning pre-art deco picture palace. In 2009, following a major restoration, it was reopened with digital and 35mm projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system, a café and licensed bar, recreating the Golden Age of cinema-going using 21st century technology. It is a four star VisitScotland attraction and has a year-round screening programme of new releases, family blockbusters, classics, international, independent, archive and art-house films. In March each year it is home to the Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema (HippFest), inspired by the Hippodrome's unique place in history as Scotland's first purpose-built picture palace. The venue is also available for private hire. It is owned and operated by Falkirk Council, with management and operation assumed by Falkirk Community Trust on 1 July 2011.

The Hippodrome Cinema in Bo'ness is an early example of a purpose-built cinema and thought to be the oldest such building surviving in Scotland. The cinema, which opened in 1912, was built for the Bo'ness cinematography pioneer Louis Dickson and designed by renowned local architect Matthew Steele. It is designated as a Category A listed building. The name and the circular form of the building that Steele produced for Dickson might suggest that 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. They do, however, 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 filled in the corners of the site. The October 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, the cinema underwent various transformations by the original architect, including adding a domed roof and ticket office. The last film shown was in August 1975, after which it was turned into a bingo hall until its closure in 1980. Thereafter, it was left abandoned and at the mercy of vandals. The building was listed Category B by Historic Scotland in 1979, and upgraded to Category A in 2004. In 2002, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) invited three companies to respond to their brief to find a use for the former Hippodrome Cinema. The agreement made provision for the refurbished building to be transferred or leased to the creators of the preferred scheme on favourable terms, in return for their speculative consultancy work. Restoring the cinema to its former use and the creation of a community space was proposed by IDEAS, a Falkirk-based design firm. At the time, the preferred option was for the building to be used as a gym; SHBT requested that they retain an option on the IDEAS proposals. Later, Falkirk Council initiated an HLF Townscape Heritage Initiative for Bo'ness. A sustainable use for the Hippodrome was considered critical, indeed pivotal to the release of grant funding, the IDEAS proposal was revived and considered worthy. Following grants from various organisations amounting to £1.8 million, the cinema underwent renovation from the middle of 2006. The restoration work saved original features, including: cast iron radiators, oak panelling in the foyer area and art deco signs for toilets. The work was largely completed on 14 February 2008 when the keys were handed over to its new owner, Falkirk Council. The renovation then went through a final phase when modern cinema projection and sound equipment were added. On 9 April 2009, the cinema finally opened its doors again to the public, a reminder of the golden age of cinema. On 1 July 2011, Falkirk Community Trust assumed responsibility for the management and operation of the Bo'ness Hippodrome. In 2014, VisitScotland awarded the venue a four star rating, indicating 'an excellent standard'.

• 2014

  VisitScotland awarded a four star rating.

• 2011

  Falkirk Community Trust assumed management and operation on 1 July 2011.

• 2009

  Cinema reopened to the public on 9 April 2009.

• 2008

  Work largely completed on 14 February 2008; keys handed over to Falkirk Council.

• 2006

  Renovation began following grants amounting to £1.8 million.

• 2004

  Upgraded to Category A listed building.

• 2002

  Scottish Historic Buildings Trust invited three companies to find a use for the former cinema.

• 1980

  Closed after use as a bingo hall.

• 1979

  Listed Category B by Historic Scotland.

• 1975

  Last film shown in August 1975.

• 1926

  Transformations by the original architect, including adding a domed roof and ticket office.

• 1912

  Cinema opened, built for Louis Dickson and designed by Matthew Steele.

• 1911

  Earliest known plans dated October 1911, labelled 'Proposed Picture Palace, Hope Street'.

A restored historic picture palace offering a year-round programme of new releases, classics and art-house films, and a four star VisitScotland attraction.

• Cinema screenings

• Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema (HippFest)

• Café and licensed bar

• Private hire

1. 1Arts and culture venues: Hippodrome - Falkirk Councilfalkirk.gov.uk
2. 2Services - Falkirk Councilfalkirk.gov.uk
3. 3Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Hippodrome Cinema, Bo'ness - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org