You know, I thought the cinema would be an on-going story.
Didn’t I tell you it would, Adrian?
Adrian?
But, bless him, Adrian did come up with an alternative place to put the much written about cinema.
He — with that ever-so puckish grin of his — suggested we demolish Blackmore, and put it there …
I think he was kidding.
Possibly …
At any rate, while I’ve got the Frankie Say compilation playing in the background — yeah, another Christmas pressie — I’ve got to admit I got hold of the Gazette, today …
And guess what hit the front page … ?
I’ll give you three guesses …
It was Brentwood’s much planned cinema.
The story so far is that the planned cinema has been given the needed planning approval, for the car park area, ’round the back of the High Street.
But it seems the developers are having trouble actually finding tenants for the development.
They need something like 60% of the planned floorspace to be already spoken for by the time it’s built, in order for it to be economically viable.
Which it sounds like they’ve not got.
Which means more delays …
Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m not surprised by this development.
I’m realist enough to admit that in these tough times, companies are wary of expanding.
Mostly because they don’t want to be the next Threshers, Borders or Woolworths.
Having been a survivor of the Great Threshers Debácle, I can appreciate that.
But it is disappointing to read.
And — almost by reflex — got me sending off an email.
Here …
Dear Editor,
I’ve got to confess that — as the cinema rears its much-delayed head, again — I’m very much tempted to swear. I really am.
Now, for a long time, I’ve been a very *public* supporter of having the cinema here. In part because I personally like the idea of having a local cinema that those of us who don’t drive — or rely on public transport — can get to, in our area.
And also in the belief that something of this scale will bring much needed jobs to Brentwood and the surrounding area.
I’m one of the people who lost their only source of income when First Quench Retail — otherwise known as the Warley and Pilgrims Hatch branches of Threshers, and the Shenfield branch of Wine Rack — went into administration. So to me and at least fifteen other people in town, those jobs are *vital*.
But, knowing from direct, and very personal, experience of how the recession can affect people, I’m not surprised that the developers are having trouble finding tenants for the site.
I’m just surprised that neither they, nor Brentwood Council, had any alternative option’s in place.
•••••
Actually, talking of Threshers …
Which we weren’t, I’ll admit, but I did mention them …!
I actually had an interesting exchange of emails, which I won’t re-produce, here, asking about the one thing I’d’ve expected to get, but haven’t.
A P45.
Just so you know, in case you’re reading, Andrea, that’s the final bit of tax paperwork anyone in the UK is given, when they finish working for someone. It’s basically a tax summary you give to your next employers, or the Benefits Office.
And I’ve got to admit, I was a touch annoyed I got my last wage slip, but not the p45, itself.
The benefits people are getting a touch snotty about it.
But so am I, and one or two of my former fellow workers.
Granted — and as pointed out by Carolyn Thompson, the KPMG manager who answered me — Atos, First Quenchs’ payroll division, sent out the wageslips last week, on out final payroll day.
And sent out the p45’s at the same time.
Which were apparently delayed by the amount of time it took to both check and process them.
Hmmm …
OK …
Well …
Fair enough.
But I can’t see why on earth these weren’t prepared a day or two in advance, and actually handed on to staff and managers on the final day for each branch.
It still strikes me as incredibly badly done.
Oh, well …
At least I can be grateful that I managed to earn a level 2 NVQ in customer service, and the £500 bonus, for that mystery shopper visit.
But the P45 situation?
That does tend to stick in the craw: mine, at least.
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