Circus theatre and first lager brewery among UK’s ‘most endangered’ buildings
England and Wales’ most ‘endangered’ buildings include a gothic-towered police station, women’s hospital and the UK’s first lager brewery.
According to an annual list compiled by the Victorian Society, a Hippodrome turned circus theatre and a Samaritan Hospital are also among the top 10 buildings and structures most at risk of ruin.
This year’s list has been described as ‘both upsetting and enlightening’ by the society’s president, who called for the heritage to be restored, suggesting now is the time to make town and city centres ‘look great’ or face ruin as the coronavirus crisis continues to cause havoc with the high street.
It includes the Grade II listed Brighton Hippodrome, designed by renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, which was later converted into a circus in 1901.
The building features a circular auditorium as part of its richly decorated ceiling in the form of a panelled tent.
Also on the list is Bradford’s striking gothic-towered former Bavaria Place Police Station built in 1877, which has been empty for years.
A former Anglo-Bavarian Brewery in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, claimed to be the country’s first lager brewery, also makes the list.
The building is in a very poor condition and is on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.
Society President Griff Rhys Jones explained: ‘Many of our Victorian gems have a depressing recent story.
‘Often profit takes priority, and buildings are neglected until they have reached a complete state of dereliction.’
He continued: ‘These buildings were built with great skill, and they brighten their urban environment. We know that restoring heritage of this kind adds value to an area.
‘Never has there been a time, with the retail sector dealt another blow and the town centre fading as a business hub, for us to recognise that if we want our city centres to continue to be useful, visited and adored they had better look great.’
The full top 10 for 2020 is:
- Samaritan Hospital for Women, London
- Brighton Hippodrome, Brighton
- Former Anglo-Bavarian Brewery – Shepton Mallet, Somerset
- Former Captain Cook Pub – Teesside, Middlesbrough
- Northgate Malt House Building – Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire
- Bracebridge Pumping Station – Worksop, Nottinghamshire
- Ex-Prudential Assurance Company Offices – Oldham, Greater Manchester
- Former Bavaria Place Police Station, Bradford
- Darlington Street Methodist Church, Wolverhampton
- Plas Alltran – Holyhead, Wales
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