The Hippodrome, on Henblas Street had a long and glittering history as a music hall and cinema which spanned almost a century, but, in the age of the multi-screen cinema, the Hippodrome closed its doors for the final time in 1998.

The building has been left empty for nearly a decade and parts of it have now fallen into a visibly dilapidated state.

A campaign was launched in 2004 calling for the Hippodrome to be granted a grade II listed status by Cadw and thus secure its future, but this proved unsuccessful, leaving the site open for development.

Ten years on since the closure, most of the fixtures and fittings have now gone and planning permission for the existing building to be demolished and replaced has already been granted, in January 2006.

The site is owned by commercial and retail investment property group, the Hollins Murray Group (HMG), and lettings signs currently hang on the building advertising new retail spaces 'available in 2008'.

Andrew Murray, Chief Executive of HMG, said: "The work taking place on the site of the Hippodrome Theatre is part of an ongoing, complex and lengthy project into which time and effort continues to be dedicated.

"Hollins Murray Group has made sizeable investment into Wrexham town centre. The company now wishes to continue its support of Wrexham as one of the most significant retail centres in North Wales".

HMG intends to retain the buildings making-up 26-30 Henblas Street, which were identified by Cadw as a distinguished section of the existing structure and to ensure the development is in keeping with its surroundings including red sandstone facades and slate roof.

However, despite the poor condition of the buildings earmarked for demolition, there are many people who have fond memories of the Hippodrome and who will be sad to see it go.

In its heyday as a music hall and latterly as a cinema, the Hippodrome was very popular with Wrexham residents, from children and families going to watch a weekend matinee to courting couples on a Saturday night date.

The Hippodrome was the last of Wrexham's five music halls, or cinemas as they became, to close its doors.

These included the Majestic cinema, now the Elihu Yale pub, and the Empire on Chester Street which became the Seven Stars pub.

Former county councillor, John Humberstone led the campaign calling for the Hippodrome building to be listed. He said: "I will be very sad to see it go and I think that a lot of people in Wrexham will be. This was our last example of an Edwardian Theatre Hall and I think that it was an opportunity missed to revitalise it when the cinema closed.

"Had there been the willingness, there was a perfect opportunity to turn it into a 400 capacity civic theatre for Wrexham which would have attracted theatre companies from London.

"It's a travesty for Wrexham that a great opportunity was missed."

Mr Humberstone and his fellow campaigners even clubbed together to buy some of the art deco fixtures from the Hippodrome when they were listed on an internet auction site a few years ago.

He said: "We found out, from a colleague who was trying to save the old Odeon in York, that the Hippodrome light fittings had been listed on ebay.

"We managed to buy two of them and still have both but we haven't decided what to do with them yet."

The Hippodrome has had a glittering history and numerous stars came to Wrexham to tread the boards there.

A high profile backer of the campaign to list the building was legendary comedian Ken Dodd who had performed on its stage a number of times and entertainer Arthur Askey is also believed to have appeared there.

Do you have any good memories of The Hippodrome?

Share them with us by leaving a comment below or emailing digitalnews@nwn.co.uk