Taken over by the BBC in the 1960s as a television studio, it has been put to more recent use as a radio studio and multi-purpose concert venue. In 2007, it became an evangelical church building. In 2017 it was acquired by Markaz El Tathgheef El Eslami (Centre for Islamic Enlightening). It was to be converted into an Islamic centre, but residents objected, and Barnet council deferred a decision.[1]
In October 2021 Hillsong Church bought the Hippodrome, with the intention of holding Sunday services there.[1]
In 1969, the BBC were looking for additional television studio capacity to cope with the introduction of colour transmissions.[9] They took out a long leasehold on the Hippodrome to 2060[10] In 1969, the Hippodrome was converted into a radio studio and concert hall with reduced capacity of 700 seats, as the BBC had been looking for a north London venue, and became home for the BBC Concert Orchestra, and also saw broadcasts and concerts from the BBC Big Band and BBC Radio Orchestra.
As a concert venue, it was used in various configurations for:
The BBC recorded various radio specials at the Hippodrome, including the famous BBC Sight and Sound concert of January 1978.[20] AC/DC's 27 October 1977 appearance at the Hippodrome for Sight and Sound in Concert was later released on DVD as Live '77.[citation needed]
However, with a public brief to bring music to all of the people of the UK, and with additional high-quality space available all over London, the BBC announced its intention to leave the building in August 2003, after mounting minor repair work, saw the BBC Concert Orchestra relocate to the Mermaid Theatre in central London, among other places.
After the BBC left the theatre in August 2003, it was left unused and deteriorated considerably, to the extent that, in early 2005, the venue was placed on English Heritage’s ‘buildings at risk’ register as its future had become so uncertain. Barnet Council was keen for the building to carry on being used as an entertainment venue, and the BBC was given 18 months to sell it as such. However, since no buyer was forthcoming, the local authority allowed it to be sold at auction in September 2006 with the potential for being developed for other uses - for which the BBC had already applied but been turned down.
For planning purposes the Hippodrome came to be classed as 'D2' under the 'Use Classes Order' and not under sui generis, exclusively as a theatre, as no stage productions had taken place for more than 40 years. The 'D2' class meant that potential buyers could use the theatre for: "Cinemas, Dance and Concert Halls, Sports Halls, Swimming Baths, other Indoor Sports and Leisure Uses."
In early 2007, the Christian group El Shaddai International Christian Centre purchased the Hippodrome for £5million, despite local concerns over the group's beliefs and its intentions for the building.[23][24]
There was a backlash from some members of the local community of Golders Green towards the centre, claiming that the venue should not be granted a 'place of worship' licence.[26] Notable from Alan Jacobs of the Golders Green Residents Environment Group stressed the group's concern around traffic in the area[27]a number of other residence wrote in open letters.[28] A minority reportedly went further, suggesting that "a Muslim presence in the neighbourhood could be dangerous and was undesirable."[1] Barnet Council received 902 objections and 756 letters in support of the application.[29]Sarah Sackman, acting for MTE, said it was hard to see how it had “not been treated differently to other religious groups who have previously used the building.”[30] Upon selling of the venue Chair of Barnet Citizens Ed Marsh said: “This is a sad moment for the borough of Barnet and sends the wrong message about the type of warm, welcoming and inclusive place that Barnet is" “From the beginning the Markaz have sought to use and preserve an iconic local landmark and have been met with a campaign of smears and lies driven by racism and Islamophobia." “The result of this has been a Muslim community who have made a great contribution to our borough for decades being driven out.”.[27]
Vaccination Center
In May 2020, the Hippodrome became a pop-up vaccination centre as part of an interfaith drive to promote the COVID-19 vaccine across communities, with faith leaders getting vaccinated themselves.[27]
Hillsong Church North London
In 2021, Hillsong Church, an evangelical Christian megachurch, and a Christian association of churches based in Australia bought the venue with no notable objection. Rabbi Josh Levy of North Western Reform Synagogue expressed his disappointed to hear of the sale and that we "valued the relationships we have built with the Markaz and its members over these past years."[27] Alan Jacobs of the Golders Green Residents Environment Group welcomed Hillsong Church move into the venue,[27] citing that it was "a progressive, diverse and inclusive organisation which recognises the value of working with local communities".[31] adding that "Church use is generally on a Sunday, which Golders Green is better able to cope with"[29] whereas the Islamic centre had applied to be open from 8am until 11.30pm every day.[1]
^Cresswell, John (2000). The Streatham Hill Theatre: The story of a suburban theatre. UK: The Streatham Society. ISBN0950443166.
^"British National Opera Company at Golders Green". The Musical Times. 69 (1019). Musical Times Publications Ltd: 66–67. 1 January 1928. doi:10.2307/917029. JSTOR917029.
