Famous West End venue to reopen as casino complex

16/04/2009

One of the most famous venues in London’s West End, the Hippodrome in Leicester Square, is soon to reopen as a casino, complete with a cabaret theatre and a restaurant run by a Michelin Star chef.

The landmark building was built in 1900 to host variety performances. It became a cabaret restaurant in the 1950s and was a nightclub between 1983 and 2005. Since then, it has stood empty as its operator was unable to gain a new license for the venue.

The new plan will see the building restored to its former glory, and, thanks to the Save London Theatres Campaign, it will always retain a live performances license in any future incarnations. When its license was offered this time around, the three main theatre groups in London were interested but considered the project too expensive, due to the restoration needed.

The new casino/theatre project is expected to be completed by 2011 and it will be run by United Leisure Gaming Limited. The firm’s chairman, Simon Thomas, says, "our ambition is to return the Hippodrome to its rightful place as one of the country's leading leisure destinations and, not least, to secure its future as a venue offering live entertainment.”