Old hippodrome site “available for booking” say Council as long term plans discussed

Work is underway to decide on the long term use of the site of a former town centre cinema.

Earlier this year Wrexham Council announced it had purchased the former Hippodrome land, located on the South side of Henblas Street.

The cinema itself closed in 1997, however the site had sat vacant since 2008 after the building burnt down in a mystery fire.

The site had a planning consent granted in 2006 (which has now lapsed) for the demolition of old building and construction of A1 commercial units.

Speaking earlier this year Leader of Wrexham Council said the local authority “aim to make sure that the spot is put to best use, and benefits town centre trade.”

Six months later and a long term use for the Hippodrome site has yet to be identified.

However to coincide with the recent visit of the City of Culture judges, the land was transformed into a temporary pop-up play area for children and families.

Over the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend the area was used to host a series of community events.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: “It’s forming part of our place making strategy in the short term and will be used for events etc.”

For those interested in using the space the council added, “The area is available for booking as with Queens Square through the town centre team until such time as the place making plan identifies a longer term use.”

Historically such spaces, including Queen’s Square, would have been bookable via an outsourced company (Pinpoint) with the aim of opening the town out to a wider market for events and promotions – with the hope it would mean less staff and therefore cost to the council. It appears that is no longer the case.