Where was Dudley Hippodrome?

Dudley Hippodrome was at Castle Hill in Dudley, DY1 4QF. Demolished autumn 2023.

 

In brief

The theatre opened in Dudley in 1938. The Dudley Hippodrome was used as a theatre until 1964. From 1968 until 2009 it was used as a bingo hall. Dudley Metropolitan Council has owned it since it closed, and campaingers tried to save it, but the council announced in 2023 that it will be demolished for a new higher education facility. Was demolished during autumn 2023.

Dudley Hippodrome (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Dudley Hippodrome - history

The Dudley Hippodrome opened on the site of the Dudey Opera House (opened in 1899) but had been gutted by a fire in 1936.

The new theatre was built by Archibald Hurley Robinson and local contractor A. J. Crump from 1937. It opened at the end of 1938.

Dudley Hippodrome (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It's first owner Benjamin Kennedy died in 1939.

Laurel and Hardy appeared at the theatre in 1947.

The final stage show at the Hippodrome was in 1964.

Dudley Hippodrome (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The owner V. Kendrick announced his intention to operate it as a casino and bingo hall.

In 1968 the Hippodrome was bought by Mr H. Whitehouse of Newtown Entertainments Ltd.

Bingo would take place at the venue, but wrestling would no longer happen here.

Ladbrokes bought the building next and opened it as "Cesar's Palace" in 1973.

Dudley Hippodrome (January 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Bingo Hall closed in 2009, after which Dudley Council bought the building with plans to demolish it for redevelopment.

It remained vacant through the 2010s, but the local campaign group lost their fight to save the building in 2022.

Dudley Hippodrome (October 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The council would start demolishing the Dudley Hippodrome around August 2023.

Dudley Hippodrome (December 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The former Dudley Hippodrome was demolished in autumn 2023, and by winter 2023-24 there is nothing left, but you can see up to the zoo behind now.

Site of the former Dudley Hippodrome (January 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Dudley MBC plans to build a £25m education facility on this site in the future. It's next to the new entrance to the Dudley Zoological Gardens

Site of the former Dudley Hippodrome (January 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By the time you will be able to get trams to Castle Hill, in the future there will be an educational facility on the site of the Dudley Hippodrome. Could do with a blue plaque in the future.

Site of the former Dudley Hippodrome (January 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Community group

Dudley Hippodrome