About That Cinema …

Brentwood Gazette Article
12th November, 2014

My Letter Part 1

You know, it’s an ongoing thing … 

That’s possibly a phrase that’s got you wondering, hasn’t it?

But what I’m talking about … ?

Is Brentwood’s Cinema.

Or rather …

The cinema we haven’t got: and haven’t had for some time.

~≈fi≈~

Dungeree Time!

Yep, I think I’ve something else to be adding to the cinema bonfire.

I’ll quite admit, I really am not a political animal.

Well, beyond thinking that Martin Bell standing as an independent candidate, here in Brentwood, a few years ago, was a good thing.   There were, at the time, quite a few rumblings about political funding by a local church; – something Mr Bell stood against.

And I generally think that at least giving the Raving Loony’s a by-election vote wasn’t as mad as it sounded, sometimes.   Especially after Bootle …

So as you can imagine, emailing local politicians is something I usually don’t do in my spare time.

Which I’ve done a bit of, in support of the cinema, recently.

I became aware that Councillor Lewis — leader of Brentwood Council’s ruling Conservative group, who pushed the cinema complex through — also intends to stand as Conservative candidate, come the next general election, in Great Yarmouth.

I’m a touch put out.

I can’t help but think that – given the election is due at some point in 2010, and the cinema is expected to be finished by late 2011 – not at least making the effort to be still in place, as a local councillor, seems to be bad form.   And certainly has been giving the development’s opponents cause to comment.

At any rate, here’s the text’s of the emails.

Here’s the one I sent.

From: Paul Downie 

Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:34:36 +0000

To:

Subject: Great Yarmouth

Councillor Lewis,

I’ve got to admit, I’m a little put out.

I couldn’t help but notice this quote; – “If you live in the Great Yarmouth constituency this is a good way to bring local problems to my attention.”

It should be familiar.   It’s from your blog about standing as the Conservative candidate, for Great Yarmouth.

Like I say, I’m a little put out.

I’ll happily admit to supporting you, and the rest of the Conservative group on Brentwood Council, in pushing through the cinema development.   As a lifelong Liberal voter, it’s been one of the few – if not ONLY – times I’ve thought about throwing behind a different party.

Mostly as a way of saying thank you.

But to quote from the Brentwood Gazette’s article about it, “The decision could see the development built in William Hunter Way by late 2011 or 2012.”

As far as I can find out, the latest the next General Election can take place is May of 2010.

Now, as you probably know, by now, I seriously support the cinema.

But it strikes me as a bit rude that the man who lead the group who pushed this through Brentwood Council, doesn’t want to see the building through to completion.

And certainly is giving fuel to the development’s opponents.

It strikes me that the man who believes this is the right thing to do, would be staying in town to help allay opposition fears, and promote the work he’s started.

Rather than – apparently – abandoning it, to pursue his political career.   And hope that Great Yarmouth isn’t treated in the same – apparently – cavalier manner, by other potential candidates.

I’d personally like to know your reasoning, and will of course, be posting it to my blog.

Yours, in mildly annoyed confusion,

Paul Downie

And here’s the quick reply.

Not sure how it affects whether you do or do not like or support the cinema. I think you overestimate my personal role but I appreciate the compliment in that regard. 

The conservative party and group in Brentwood is bigger then just me and no councillor can assume they will always be on the council, people retire, move on or are beaten in an election. My Hutton South seat is up for election in 2010 as well and it would be arrogance on the part of any politician to assume and expect re-election as of right. 

Best wishes

Brandon

Make of this what you will.

The Cinema Rears its Head … !

You know, I thought the cinema would be an on-going story.

Didn’t I tell you it would, Adrian?

Adrian?

He’s gone shy, again!

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.

Brentwood Gazette Cinema Article

Just as a follow on to yesterday’s post about the cinema in Brentwood, I thought I’d add a quick note.

You can read the Brentwood Gazette’s coverage here, by the way.   It’s definitely provoking reaction and comment.

But I thought I’d write to the Gazette, and thought I should let you see what I sent.

“Dear Sir.

I can’t help but be very alarmed about Brentwood’s new cinema development.

At least, by some of my fellow resident’s reactions.

Let me say, first, that I, like many people in town, would love to see a cinema here.   I, like many of the people interviewed in this week’s Gazette, love seeing films, and love to see them at a cinema.

Something that, as I only work part-time, means is a very rare thing, as my very limited resources have to be spent on paying bills first.   And, when the opportunity to see a film at a cinema DOES come along — once or twice a year, at the very most — I resent having to pay an ill-afforded premium on public transport.   An opinion I noticed others in your article sharing.

Additionally, this development represents something else, for me, and I suspect to many others in town.

The possibility of work.

I’ve worked part-time for many years, and have always found searching for full time work in my chosen area nigh-on-impossible to do.   The chance of even an interview for an extra part-time job, in the customer service area I know I excel at would be very welcome.

Now, while I can appreciate that many homeowners in the immediate area object, and object strongly, they have an option that many others of us don’t; – they are home owners, and therefore have the option to move.

Yes, I realise that is hard in these difficult times, even without the threat of devaluation.

But those of us blessed with security of full-time work, the finances to purchase their own home and their transport to get around in, have advantages over those of us who don’t.

There’s also been many on the Gazette’s website who feel that this development is “killing” Brentwood.

Rubbish!

It is simply part of changing Brentwood.

I personally welcome this, for the most part.

It saddens me that many of my fellow residents don’t.”

The Gazette will probably make a few changes, but hopefully not two many.

After all, I feel I write well enough.   I just don’t punctuate to quite the same degree … 

But one thing I know a lot of the nay-sayers object to is the size of the development.   I was going to other sympathy to those who’ll have homes prices will depreciate.

But I can’t.

I don’t own my flat; – while I’d like to, I’ve never bee in the position to, nor ever expect to; - so I rent socially.

What I really want to have enough hours from however many part-time jobs I can get to pay my way through life, without having to rely on benefits, without being beholden to anyone else, and with maybe enough money to go out, once a week.

The more new businesses given the chance to, boosts my chances in doing this.

Selfish?

Yes.

But pretty much what all of us want in life.

Front Page News …

24th March, 2009.

Ok, it’s not front page, exactly … but it is, at the moment, on the first page of the news section of the Gazette.

Page two, in other words.

And it’s definitely nice to get quoted in the article.   I was hoping they’d mention the blog by name, but either way, I’m feeling pretty good!

Either way, here’s the text in full, courtesy – and copyright – of the Brentwood Gazette.

LAST ditch attempts to prevent a cinema development coming to Brentwood have been scuppered.

Residents against plans to build a six-screen cinema, shopping complex and new homes in William Hunter Way hoped Brentwood council's decision to allow the development would be called in and even overturned by the Government.

But this week Communities Secretary of State Hazel Blears told protesters she had decided not to intervene and the council's decision will stand.

Swan Paddocks Residents' Association member Phil Mynott was disappointed.

Should the cinema be built, Mr Mynott’s Western Road home would back on to the development.

“It seems surprising to me because we are in a situation where the decision was made by Brentwood council and not by a body which was impartial, because Brentwood council will financially benefit from this going ahead,” he said.   “It seems inconceivable a higher authority should not call it in, because it has not been an impartial assessment.”

Secretary of the Save Brentwood Action Group, Gerry Bender, was equally discouraged.

He said: “The decision by the Secretary of State was disappointing, but not unexpected.   The whole process represents a dark day for local democracy.   The failure of the politicians to engage and captivate local people’s imagination is a singular failure of Brandon Lewis tenure as leader of Brentwood,” he said.

“The legacy of the approved 250,000 sq ft of development and the cynicism which Brandon Lewis has generated over this shameful episode in the town's history has caused a rift in the community which will take years to heal.”

However, some greeted the news with delight.

Cinema supporter and blogger Paul Downie of Rollason Way said: “I was as happy as Larry.   I know there are arguments about the size, but speaking as someone who needs a job and likes movies, it's fantastic. It looks like in the next few years we will get a cinema I can actually walk to.   I’m looking forward to when this thing gets built now.”

Developers Stockland also welcomed the news: “We are obviously delighted that the Secretary of State has decided not to call in the William Hunter Way proposals,” said a spokesman.

“We are looking forward to progressing the work needed to bring new shops, new homes and a new cinema to Brentwood town centre.”

Council leader Cllr Brandon Lewis said: “It just confirms the decision was made correctly.

"It was the proper decision and the Secretary of State doesn’t believe there was a reason to call it in.”

Labour party leader Cllr Mike Le-Surf said: “I didn’t expect her to call it in, because it doesn't really fit the criteria for it being called in.   Although it's a big issue, it's a borough-wide one, not a national one, so it was expected.”

© The Brentwood Gazette, 2009.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve some printing to do …

The William Hunter Way Development: or CINEMA … !

I have to admit, I have something of an opinion.

Several of them, actually.

I think a penny saved is a penny earned: that recycling’s a good thing to do: that every one has good and bad in them.

Oh, and that Macs  are superior to PCs.

Something most of my friends are possibly trued of hearing me pontificate about.

Something else I believe … ?

Is that the closure of my home town’s two screen cinema, many years ago, was a bad thing.

Certainly for me: at the time, it was a cheap night out for someone who’d been in and out of part time work, so having to travel to see a film added an extra cost.

An extra cost I, for one, resented.

Then and now.

So the fact that Brentwood Borough Council approved a development for a cinema, an associated carpark and set of retail units, was something I welcomed.

Unfortunately … ?

Unfortunately, that development has now been cancelled.

And going by the reports in the Brentwood Gazette, cancelled because the Council and developers couldn’t agree on the rent: and whether it should be linked to the Retail Prices Index.

And I must admit to a certain amount of sadness about the whole thing.

~≈†≈~

You know, maybe sadness is the wrong word, here.

Maybe I should focus, instead, on anger.

At both the Council: and the developers, Stocklands.

From what I can recall from the Gazette reports at the time, Stocklands were seriously hit by the recession: and put the William Hunter Way development on hold, while assorted things were done at the company’s HQ in Australia.   And while the UK branch renegotiated the rent deal.

I also have to admit, I’m also angry at Brentwood Council.

Both the Conservative administration, who seem to have badly botched the deal in the first place: not least by letting the whole thing drag on for some eight to nine years longer than it needed to be.

My feelings, there, are that this could have been concluded a lot sooner than it has been.   With Brentwood having a cinema built by Stocklands: OR by someone else, if they felt they couldn’t afford to.

I feel the Tories have badly let us down.

I’m ALSO annoyed at local Liberal Democrats: something I know will sadden Councillor Chilvers, who, to her credit, has stood by her belief that the plans — as they stood — weren’t a good thing for town.

I feel that the Lib-dem members on the council have not made their case strongly enough: OR publicly enough.

They may well have had alternatives to the Stocklands deal: but none they ever made public, as far as I could see, and that — in my opinion — they should have done.

I personally believe that had these plans gone ahead, they would have been a net benefit to the town.

~≈†≈~

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m very aware that talk started in 2005, about a potential new cinema in Brentwood.   Something I have both welcomed, dreamed of and written about for a long time.

I seriously believed, back in 2005, that Brentwood could benefit from a multi-screen cinema*: and the associated retail and hospitality jobs.

I still do.

The fact they have been cancelled … ?

Is no loss to Stocklands.

Or to some at Brentwood Council.

But to us: the people of Brentwood, who would have benefitted from this.

*        The little I understand of the economics of the situation — something I’ve discussed with friends more familiar with the industry than I — confirms my personal belief that a venue with four to six screens — at the minimum — is the minimum affordable option that most chains would consider.