Reacting to the news ahead of the first open day in months, Simon Thomas, Hippodrome CEO was confident there will be no more U-turns. “It's a relief,” he said of the reopening. “We are delighted and like the rest of the West End, we will be working hard to welcome back the visitors and tourists who want to experience the greatest city in the world.”
At the same time, even with the doors open, trust and confidence have to be re-established. “The Hippodrome always goes the extra mile, so all safety measures are in place, including a covid czar to ensure people adhere to the distancing rules,” he added. “We've initially taken 400 staff off furlough and they have all been trained.” Once inside, customers will have to adhere to new measures, but the entertainment value has been ramped up as well, including a £3m outdoor terrace, which will be popular for those who want external space.
“The Hippodrome is one of the cornerstones of entertainment in the West End, part of an eco-system that thrives by working together,” Thomas said. “We’re grateful to Nigel Huddleston MP and his team at the DCMS who have agreed we’re more than ready, and have worked to get us reopened.”
