The Stage

Second High Court hearing to decide Derby Hippodrome’s fate

Published Friday 18 April 2008 at 12:45 by Alistair Smith

Derby Hippodrome’s future is to be decided in court next week, after the withdrawal of an independent expert who had been due to investigate whether the building was a threat to public safety and needed to be demolished.

Following the independent structural engineer’s 11th hour departure, the venue’s owner Christopher Anthony yesterday applied to the High Court for permission to restart works, which the council feared could result in further destruction of the historic, Grade-II listed theatre.

Anthony’s application was declined and instead a date has been set for a “full trial” at the court, which will resume Derby City Council’s bid for an injunction to prevent Anthony from resuming potentially damaging work on the building.

Earlier this month, the council had applied for an injunction. At the time the judge declined to grant one, but instead called for the appointment of an independent expert to investigate further.

A statement issued by the council today explained: “The council can confirm that Mr Anthony did make his application to the high court yesterday afternoon to restart works on the Hippodrome building. Despite very short notice, the council was able to attend court and strongly oppose his application.

“The council was successful in preventing this application to restart works. A full trial at the High Court in London has been set for Tuesday April 22 and Wednesday April 23, next week.”