The Hippodrome Theatre originally opened as a variety theatre in 1914, and was then converted to a cinema in 1930. As the Hippodrome Super Cinema the premises changed hands on a few occasions, until it was converted back to a theatre in 1950 and renamed the Hippodrome Theatre. The theatre run touring shows through the decade, but the shows began to decline and eventually it closed down in 1959.
The building stood empty until it was bought by Mecca Ltd and converted to a bingo hall which opened in 1962. Alongside the bingo, the Hippodrome continued to have the occasional one night show and game of housey, housey (betting on pre-recorded horse races.) Like the cinema before it, the Bingo hall changed ownership several times before its closure. For the last section of its life, it was a part of the Walkers Bingo brand.
Since the closure of the club in January 2007, the Derby New Theatre Association tried unsuccessfully to buy the hall in the hope of returning it to its former use as a theatre. However, a fire at the premises in February 2008 has left the building's future less than certain. It currently stands empty.
Were you connected to the Walkers / Mecca Bingo Green Lane, Derby? Be it as a staff member or customer, we'd love to hear about this club when it was open - send your comments and memories about the staff, the members, the events and general atmosphere of this lost bingo club; to keep here for posterity's sake.
I was a bingo caller at 17 at the Hippodrome in 1965. It was alive. I think it was Frank Knight assistant manager, and Street or something like that who was the manager. He was ex-CID. I had to light the gas exit lights and put them out at night. It was really creepy on your own up in the 'gods. Friday and Saturday it was dress suit and cumberbuns. I called for Star bingo as well.
Listed below are a couple of clubs in the area as an alternative to the Walkers / Mecca Bingo Derby.