Brighton Hippodrome
| Brighton Hippodrome | |
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The façade of the Brighton Hippodrome from the northwest
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| Location | 52–58 Middle Street, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 50°49′18″N 0°08′34″W / 50.8218°N 0.1427°WCoordinates: 50°49′18″N 0°08′34″W / 50.8218°N 0.1427°W |
| Built | 1897 |
| Rebuilt | 1901; 1939 |
| Architect | Frank Matcham (1901) |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Mecca Bingo (Former Hippodrome), 52–58 Middle Street | |
| Designated | 20 December 1985 |
| Reference no. | 1381793 |
 Location within central Brighton
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The former Brighton Hippodrome is an entertainment venue in the ancient centre of Brighton, part of the English city of Brighton and Hove. It has been empty and out of use since 2007, when its use as a bingo hall ceased.
From its construction in 1897 it has hosted an ice rink, circus acts, variety theatre, vaudeville shows and bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The flamboyantly decorated interior, with a large auditorium and Rococo embellishments, survives despite the frequent alterations; but in July 2010 its owner announced that it would cost £9 million to restore the building and convert it into a live music venue, and a charitable trust expressed concern over its future. Since 2011, several plans have been submitted to convert the building for alternative uses. English Heritage has listed the building at Grade II* for its architectural and historical importance.
By the end of the 19th century, Brighton had been a fashionable and thriving seaside resort, which had experienced rapid growth, for more than 100 years. It developed around the medieval fishing village of Brighthelmstone—a grid of streets running inland from the sea, intercut with narrow twittens. Middle Street, the most important and central of these streets, was built up from the 16th century, and was lined with houses both large and small, inns, the town's oldest school and a richly decorated synagogue.
Land on the east side of the street was chosen as the site of Brighton Ice Rink in 1897. It was designed by the architect Lewis Carslake and had a long stuccoed façade with short towers at each end. The venture was unsuccessful, as ice-skating did not gain popularity; and in 1900, the venue was sold for conversion into a theatre. Frank Matcham, a prolific theatre architect, was engaged to enlarge and rebuild the interior. The building was renamed The Hippodrome and reopened in its new form in 1901. The following year, more work was carried out, and on 22 December 1902 the Hippodrome reopened as a variety theatre and circus.
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