Ashton Empire Hippodrome

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Ashton Empire Hippodrome

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A not-for-profit charitable company, limited by guarantee, established to repair refurbish and re-open the Grade II listed former Tameside Hippodrome as a No1 receiving and producing theatre for use by professionals and by the community.

26/08/2026

With About Tameside – We just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers 🎉

03/08/2026

We are all deeply saddened to learn of the death, at 80, of the comedian, Jimmy Cricket. Jimmy played the Hippodrome several times and was a keen supporter of its restoration, promising to come back once it re-opened. With his trademark outfit and cheeky humour Jimmy's shows were always good, clean fun and family entertainment that all could enjoy. Our condolences go to May and to his children and grandchildren.

15/07/2026

We share the disappointment of our colleagues at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre over finding structural defects and further asbestos problems which have set back the proposed opening date. We fully agree that it is important to ensure the building's safety and long-term future and are delighted that the money has been found to deal with the problem. It will be worth the wait.

14/07/2026

With About Tameside – I just got recognised as one of their top fans! 🎉

10/07/2026

This week marks a milestone for the Hippodrome.
I’m deeply grateful for the support from Cllr Andrew McLaren and the Council’s leadership as we move into the next chapter of bringing Ashton Empire Hippodrome back to life.

As we celebrate this moment, I want to quietly acknowledge those who stood with us at the beginning of this journey but didn’t live to see this stage of it. Their belief, encouragement, and love for this building helped carry us forward.

Today’s progress belongs to the whole community — past and present — and I’m proud to be continuing the work they helped start.

Keith Dalby-Oldham

07/07/2026

For those of you who missed the interview on BBC Radio Manchester this morning, here's an update; As many of you know, the sealing strip above the Safety Curtain failed some time ago, causing asbestos fibres to fall to the stage floor and be blown around the auditorium. An asbestos consultant visited the site last week and a follow-up meeting is programmed for this week to discuss the brief and agree the way forward. A meeting took place last week with representatives of the Theatres Trust who are supportive of the Council's approach using the funding secured. A meeting will take place later this week with the Council and Theatre Projects Ltd (www.theatreprojects.com) to discuss their potential appointment which would include some initial design options. This work would also ensure that all other survey work is taken into account in order to understand the art of the possible! Theatre Projects is an internationally renowned and respected firm of theatre consultants whose previous projects have included the development of the Royal National Theatre, Sheffield Lyceum, Dubai Opera House, the Los Angeles Music Center, Oslo Opera House, Bahrain National Theatre and many more. Exciting times!

06/07/2026

The Theatres At Risk 2026 register will be published tomorrow (Tues 7th July). We will be on BBC Radio Manchester's Breakfast Show just after 7am with an update on how work is progressing. Exciting times!

31/05/2026

We’re delighted to share some fantastic news from within our own leadership team.

Heather Nicholson FIWFM, one of our Board members, has been appointed Regional Facilities Manager for Legends Global (Europe). In her new role, Heather will oversee two of Manchester’s landmark venues — the AO Arena and The Bridgewater Hall— a portfolio that reflects both her expertise and her reputation across the sector.

This is a tremendous achievement and a well‑deserved recognition of Heather’s professionalism, experience and commitment to excellence in venue and facilities management.

On behalf of everyone on the Hippodrome team, we offer Heather our warmest congratulations. We’re proud to have her insight and leadership on our Board as we continue the work of bringing the Hippodrome back to life.

**Legends Global is one of the world’s leading venue and live‑experience companies, operating more than 450 venues worldwide across arenas, stadiums, theatres and major events.**

08/05/2026

There has been a significant change in the composition of Tameside Council following yesterday’s elections. Labour remain the largest party but no longer hold overall control. Reform UK have gained 18 of the 19 seats contested, with the exception of St Peter’s Ward, where Atta Ul‑Rasool has been elected as Labour Councillor.

As we have said throughout, our work with the Council is not dependent on which party, if any, holds power. We will continue to work constructively with all elected members who share our commitment to the regeneration of Ashton and the reopening of the Hippodrome.

We would like to acknowledge the contribution of two former councillors who have supported the project over many years.
David Sweeton has been involved since February 2012, encouraging us to consider the wider economic potential of the area surrounding the theatre. His advice and engagement were invaluable in shaping our early thinking.
In 2013 he introduced us to John Taylor, then Deputy Leader, who challenged us to demonstrate that a viable and coherent business plan could be achieved. His guidance helped us refine the project into the form it takes today.

We thank both David and John for their long‑standing support for the Hippodrome.

We also congratulate Councillor Atta Ul‑Rasool on his election in St Peter’s Ward and look forward to working with him as we move into the next phase of the project.

The work continues.

22/04/2026

Today marks a historic step forward for the Tameside Hippodrome.
Earlier today Tameside Council approved major capital support to help bring the theatre back into live use — the first investment of its kind in well over two decades. It’s a clear signal of the Council’s commitment to the Hippodrome’s future, to St Peter’s Ward, and to Ashton’s night time economy and cultural life.

This support comes from external grant funding secured by the Council, from sources we cannot access directly. It does not come from Council Tax. The decision follows the submission of our business plan earlier this year and builds on 30 months of constructive partnership and full co operation.

And to be absolutely clear: this milestone is not connected to the election.
The funding has been in development for 12 months, and the campaign behind it has been running for fourteen years.

Our thanks
We want to acknowledge the professionalism and sustained support of Damien Cutting, Major Projects Manager (Town Centres), and Mike Reed, Head of Development and Major Programmes, both of the Development & Investment, Strategic Growth Unit.
We also recognise the encouragement provided by those who held key leadership roles in earlier years, particularly the then-Executive Member for Inclusive Growth, Business and Employment in 2012 and the then-Deputy Leader in 2013, whose support helped keep the project alive during its most difficult periods.
And we particularly thank Councillor Andrew McLaren, the current Deputy Leader, for his constructive engagement throughout the past 18 months.
Most importantly, we want to thank you — the public.
In 2008, more than 12,000 of you signed a petition to keep this building alive. Your belief, persistence and determination have carried this project through every setback and every breakthrough.
The road ahead is still long, but today we can say something we haven’t been able to say for a very long time:
the Hippodrome is moving forward again, with real momentum and a real future.

Address

40, Oldham Road
Ashton-Under-Lyne
OL67SF

Website

http://www.thehipp.co.uk/

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