London's Famous Hippodrome Theater Gets License for Casino & Cardroom

London's Hippodrome theatre and nightclub will get new chapter in its life, thanks to the recent approval for a license to run a casino with space designated for a cardroom for poker, at the famous building in Leicester Square.

An 8 million GBP restoration application was originally submitted by United Leisure Gaming in February 2008 to change the Grade II listed building - which currently houses a nightclub - into a casino, card room, cabaret performance area, restaurant, bar and luxury hospitality suite.

Previous applications had been rejected because of the Hippodrome's historic status, but this time law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) won its appeal for a license on behalf of United Leisure Gaming (which formed the company Hippodrome Casino to manage the operations and premises).

"This has been a momentous win and a landmark case for licensing," said BLP partner Craig Baylis. "It is the first time that a multi-use facility has been granted a gaming license in London and it gives the green light for what will be a great new attraction here."

THE HIPPODROME'S MANY LIVES

The 3,000-seat Hippodrome was a triumph for prolific theatre architect Frank Matcham when it opened 15 January 1900, for impresario Sir Edward Moss.

The structure was a terracotta palace with a sumptuous marble, gilt and mosaic interior where the seating could be adjusted to suit both arena and proscenium action. There was even an eight foot-deep central tank which could be hydraulically raised and filled within a minute for elaborate spectacles, often involving live sea lions, polar bears and even elephants, while divers would plunge from the sliding roof.

The Hippodrome quickly and repeatedly changed hats over the years, reflecting the changing tastes of the times. It has housed novelty acts, musicals and ballets. In post war London it became a kind of Moulin Rouge and Paris Lido rolled into one, where 12 year old singing sensation Julie Andrews made her debut in 1947's Starlight Roof.

In the 50's it was rescued from demolition and in 1959 it became a popular cabaret restaurant, called the Talk of the Town, where over the next 20 years stars such as Judy Garland, Maurice Chevalier, Ethel Merman and Tom Jones appeared, making it London's most popular cabaret night spot.

After yet another incarnation as an event space for private parties and corporate hire, the Hippodrome is now a Grade II listed gem and has recently undergone a restoration taking it back to some of the original Matcham features. Most recently it featured La Clique, a combination burlesque, circus and variety show, with a contemporary twist.

The new casino could be London's last for the foreseeable future because the new Gambling Act has strictly regulated the number of new casinos being built across the UK.

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