City News

Birmingham Hippodrome, one of the largest theatres in the UK, has been recognized at a national awards ceremony for its work in energy efficiency.

At The Building Controls Industry Awards 2007, held in Coventry last month (May), Birmingham Hippodrome won the Energy Management Award for maintaining auditorium comfort levels whilst reducing energy usage.

Birmingham Hippodrome, who were up against stiff competition from Asda Stores, the MoD, and St George’s Hospital,  reduced costs by 50% providing energy savings of more than £17,500 per annum - c5,500,000 Kwh.

The savings were achieved following the installation of a BACnet BMS system and BACnet frequency drives on numerous motors by ADT Fire & Security based in Birmingham.   

In the same week a direct marketing campaign, which originated at Birmingham Hippodrome, has provided Welsh National Opera with an Institute of Direct Marketing Award. The Direct Marketing – Innovation Award was given to Welsh National Opera for its Autumn 2006 Marketing campaign “Did WNO make you cry last night?”. WNO branded tissues mailed out to Birmingham Hippodrome customers, after the company staged La bohème in Autumn 2006, opened up to feature two more opera “weepies” that could be booked in the following season. Bookings rocketed for Carmen and Madam Butterfly at Birmingham Hippodrome as a result of the campaign. WNO saw off challenges from Tesco, the AA and Carphone Warehouse in this tough category.

Stuart Griffiths, Chief Executive Birmingham Hippodrome said:  “We are very proud to have been recognized for our work in reducing energy use and particularly delighted that WNO, one of our leading visiting companies, has been rewarded for a very successful marketing campaign which originated here”.