An important piece of cinema and architectural history is set to reopen its doors again following a £2.15m restoration and fit-out programme.

The Hippodrome, Scotland's oldest purpose built cinema, which first opened in 1912, will reopen with a special community screening on the 6th of April 2009. It will open to the public on Thursday 9th April.

The historic, A-listed building in Bo'ness will reopen just over 97 years after its first customers sat in its uniquely designed, round cinema.

The Hippodrome, which was the vision of local film-maker Louis Dickson and designed by renowned Scottish architect Matthew Steele, opened on the 11th of March 1912.

The Hippodrome redevelopment forms a central part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative to restore significant buildings within the attractive historical town centre of Bo'ness.

The Hippodrome is owned by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, which undertook the first phase of restoration, and is now leased to Falkirk Council. The architects for the restoration project are Linlithgow based Pollock Hammond Partnership.


The £1.95m initial restoration programme was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, Historic Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Falkirk Environment Trust and the Manifold Trust. The £200k technical fit-out has been funded by Falkirk Council with support from The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.

Thirteen new jobs will be created including technicians, catering and box office staff.

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the convener of environment and heritage at Falkirk Council, said: "The Council has been working hard with the building's owners, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, and a number of funders to bring this historic cinema back into use. It's great to see the refurbishment work coming to a close and the opening day finally confirmed."

The restoration programme has seen extensive works undertaken, both inside and out, including the installation of new seating and repair and reupholstering of some old seats; reinstatement of the 1926 decorative scheme and repair of the original copper dome above the manager's office. The exterior and interior of the building were refurbished including the re-harling of the distinctive white exterior and re-roofing of the cinema.

Internally, the fit-out includes the installation of state-of-the art digital and 35mm projection and sound equipment and new screen. A new kitchen and café-bar servery have been installed to provide a modern cinema experience.

(GK/JM)