Latest news with #DHBT
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Plan to restore derelict Derby Hippodrome gets cash boost
An £8,750 grant has been awarded to fund the next stage towards restoring a derelict theatre in Derby city Grade II listed former Derby Hippodrome in Green Lane opened in 1914 and was last used as a bingo hall before it shut in Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) says it is determined to bring the building back to life as an alternative music venue and the grant from the Theatres Trust will be used to fund a condition group's chairman Derek Latham, said it was "another significant step in our journey towards getting this building re-used." DHBT, which hopes to create something similar to the famous Nottingham venue Rock City, has previously acknowledged the project faces as obstacles as the building is privately-owned, in need of urgent repairs and its listed status restricts what changes can be made to it. Mr Latham said the group was "delighted to receive the grant."We can't afford initially to put the whole thing back to where it was in terms of restoration so the question is how can we use it as early as possible in the repair and restoration process?" he said."We have posited the concept of just using the shell: making the shell safe then repairing some of the front of house buildings - and there are three storeys of those - so it can become a venue, possibly even without a roof at first so it is an open-air venue or maybe with just a simple tension [fabric] roof on the top.""This grant enables us to employ architects and a quantity survey to be able to look at the feasibility of that and to come up with defined, very clear solutions, that can practically be achieved so that way we know we can meet regulations... and make it safe for public assembly."Now we have the Becketwell Arena open at the other end of the street, it seems very appropriate to get this smaller venue up, which will fill the gap between the big new venue and the smaller venues that already exist in Derby." The Theatres Trust - the national advisory and advocacy body for theatres - said the Hippodrome was "a rare survival from an early stage in the crossover period when buildings were being constructed for both live theatre and cinema".A spokesperson said the building was substantially damaged in 2008 when repair works by the then-owner resulted in the partial demolition of the trust has awarded the money through its Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities executive Joshua McTaggart said: "We are thrilled to support 10 of these fantastic theatres with essential strategic projects that will lay the foundations for their revival." A Derby City Council spokesperson said: "Derby's historic buildings are important to our city centre, and we have been working closely with organisations like DHBT and Historic England to tackle owners who let them fall into disrepair."We value their expertise and dedication and will continue to support them in conserving Derby's historic environment."
BBC News
30-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Project to survey at-risk buildings to be extended to Derby
A pilot project where volunteers survey Grade II listed buildings using an app will be extended. The Derbyshire "Buildings at Risk" initiative, which aims to protect endangered heritage buildings, was launched in the Amber Valley in Derbyshire in October. Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) said thanks to a £207,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, the project will now be launched in Cluley, from DHBT, said: "Derby has got such a rich history and it is a great way for local volunteers to take ownership of the unique heritage of the city." Volunteers will be able to record and monitor the condition of Derby's Grade II listed buildings on an app called B@R. A colour coding system will be used to categorise structures by their state of repair which will create "an invaluable resource for conservation efforts," said Cluley, DHBT's heritage development officer, said with its expansion to Derby the project aimed to recruit more people who shared a passion for heritage and wanted to help protect the region's architectural history."We are wanting people to get involved by downloading the app and it can be used to complete a basic condition survey of any Grade II listed buildings in the area," she added."You can then say what state of repair these buildings are in then that gets reported back to us so we can follow that up in case any of these buildings could possibly be vulnerable or at risk." She said people were asked to look at the roof condition, windows, doors, and architectural features of properties from a pavement or public footpath, record their findings and upload photos. DHBT said it will provide the city council with the data. Ms Cluley said since launching in Amber Valley more than 80 volunteers have signed up and surveyed 550 Grade II listed buildings. She added: "We have been really thrilled by the response and how much data they have been able to provide, and flag up some buildings which we might not have been aware were at risk."Now we can take steps to protect them."Events to launch the project in Derby will take place at The Old Bell on Wednesday from 15:00 BST to 17:00 and University of Derby's Enterprise Centre on Thursday from 18:30 to 20:30.
BBC News
27-01-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hundreds of listed Derbyshire buildings surveyed by volunteers
Volunteers have helped to survey 500 Grade II listed buildings in Derbyshire using an app that launched a few months Derbyshire "Buildings at Risk" initiative, which aims to protect endangered heritage buildings, was introduced to the public at an event in Belper on 24 Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT) received a £207,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project, which asks volunteers to report the condition of buildings using an trust said it was a "remarkable achievement" that 500 buildings had been surveyed so far, but added it still needed help. The scheme is being piloted in Amber Valley, before extending to Derby city and the wider thanked "each and every volunteer who has given up some of their valuable time to help make this possible", but said there was more work to be trust said: "However, although this is a huge cause for celebration and means we are now over halfway through the survey project for Amber Valley, we still need your help."It is appealing for volunteers to help survey buildings in Idridgehay, Alderwasley and Kedleston, and all of their surrounding areas.
