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downsmail.co.uk Bale to save former cinema
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Maidstone’s historic Granada cinema are furious that the plan to redevelop The Mall shopping centre includes its demolition. The proposal by Mall owner Capital and Regional includes re- placing the cinema – now occu- pied by Gala Bingo – with a department store, which has been described as “sacrilege”. Jason Martin, chairman of the
Hart Centre Project, the initiative to refurbish and regenerate life in the building, said he was “shocked” by the idea. He said: “This proposal is to
knock down a much-loved cul- tural icon of the town and replace it with more shopping. When asked about proposals for enhanc- ing cultural and creative opportu-
nities within the proposed devel- opment, the answerwas vague. “At the Hart Centre we are de-
veloping a proposal which uses arts, creative industries and a cel- ebration of our town's heritage to provide a much-needed economic boost to this part of the town. “We are proposing to achieve
the same goal as The Mall's own- ers (employment, opportunities and inward investment), but while celebrating our past and meeting our current and future needs. Hart Centre supporter Dawn Dun- leavy said: “I am horrified that theywould want to knock down the Granada and, it seems, Granada House. There’s no con- sideration whatsoever for the his- tory of the town.” The group is urging its members
and other supporters to write to Maidstone Council's conservation officer at mikeparkinson@maid-
stone.gov.uk and the county's her-
THE Granada Theatre opened in January 1934 but closed in Sep- tember 1968 due to floods. In 1971 bingo began, with a two- screen cinema upstairs till 1999.
itage conservation team at KCC:
heritageconservation@kent.gov.uk rejecting the proposal. The group is now working on a detailed proposal for possible fu- ture uses of the cinema and was due to meet with Maidstone Coun- cil as we went to press.
Mark Bour- geois, executive
director for Capital and Regional, said: “The initial proposals are being developed further, in line with the commentswe received at our recent public exhibition. “We will keep all of the valuable feedback we have received, both good and bad, in mind as we progress our plans.”
‘No other groups interested in youth awards’
Continued from page one Although the council’s commu-
nity development team did man- age to increase sponsorship levels, the awards still failed to break even this year. Officers say the council can no longer afford to run the awards, adding that no other groups or in-
dividuals had shown any interest in operating them instead. Officers admit: “There is a risk
that the council will be seen as cutting a well known and well liked awards event.” But the council’s cabinet mem-
ber for community and leisure services, Cllr John Wilson, who
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made the final decision, said: “The Active Maidstone Awards focus on celebrating the successes of those already involved in sport and physical activity in the bor- ough – not encouraging new peo- ple to take part in sport. “There are many other similar award ceremonies around and we
felt the money could be put to more practical use. “The budget currently allocated
to the awards will be re-profiled to health to seek to increase phys- ical activity.” The council hopes to retain current sponsors for the fu- ture and will be working with them to develop the project.
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