SAVE THE STUDIO CAMPAIGN

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 8, 2010 at 20:12

Dear Tracie and Readers,

You will have heard that Bromley Council may be putting together a Heritage bid for the Orpington Museum.This clearly demonstrates what can be done given the political will. They are planning to raise 2.5million a figure which were it to be spent on The Studio would turn the entire project round.
This is not fairy land but an issue of priorities and also local determination. Museums can be highly successful and profitable. The STUDIO WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT VENUE BECAUSE IT IS ON A MAIN ROAD AND WELL SERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT These are vital ingredients to success. Also, our area has a huge pool of History and connections with famour people that would act as a draw. I accept that there needs to be a commercial element in the equation but Museums can attract public funds such aas lottery money. It is not rocket science but sadly the local authority continues to neglect Beckenham.

Rod Reed

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward on September 8, 2010 at 20:27

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracie Anderson on September 8, 2010 at 23:20

They still may pull out if an agreement re the lift cannot be agreed on and there are still unanswered questions on the interior plan which we didn't get to in the last meeting due to the first part of the application being defered. Watch this space.

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 9, 2010 at 20:16

Tracie Anderson said:

They still may pull out if an agreement re the lift cannot be agreed on and there are still unanswered questions on the interior plan which we didn't get to in the last meeting due to the first part of the application being defered. Watch this space.

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 9, 2010 at 20:25

Dear all,

I appreciate that we are at a late stage in the proceedings but there is still the unanswered question why Bromley Councul refuses to facilitate a bid for the Museum and Heritage idea. I have sent letters to the Council and I am still waiting for a reply from Marc Hume Director of Renewal and Regeneration. The Council clearly have the in house skills to put together a bid as evidenced by their actions over the bid for the Priory Museum in Orpington.
On a more positive note, I have contacted the press with an urgent plea to invite interest and backers for the idea. I have also made the point to them that the Council is under an obligation to look after its assets including buildings in its care such as the Studio and the last 4/5 years of neglect is truly shocking.
I hope all readers of this email traffic will encourage wider interest in the building. Ultimately, I suspect it boils down to keen interest and marketing, both seemingly lacking in the Civic Centre at the moment over this project.

Rod Reed

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracie Anderson on September 10, 2010 at 4:52

Perhaps you didn't read my previous message in full Rod but according to the Chief Executive Bromley Council has no such obligation, legal or otherwise.


Roderick Andrew Reed said:

Dear all,

I appreciate that we are at a late stage in the proceedings but there is still the unanswered question why Bromley Councul refuses to facilitate a bid for the Museum and Heritage idea. I have sent letters to the Council and I am still waiting for a reply from Marc Hume Director of Renewal and Regeneration. The Council clearly have the in house skills to put together a bid as evidenced by their actions over the bid for the Priory Museum in Orpington.
On a more positive note, I have contacted the press with an urgent plea to invite interest and backers for the idea. I have also made the point to them that the Council is under an obligation to look after its assets including buildings in its care such as the Studio and the last 4/5 years of neglect is truly shocking.
I hope all readers of this email traffic will encourage wider interest in the building. Ultimately, I suspect it boils down to keen interest and marketing, both seemingly lacking in the Civic Centre at the moment over this project.

Rod Reed

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 10, 2010 at 18:09

Tracie Anderson said:

Perhaps you didn't read my previous message in full Rod but according to the Chief Executive Bromley Council has no such obligation, legal or otherwise.


Roderick Andrew Reed said:

Dear all,

I appreciate that we are at a late stage in the proceedings but there is still the unanswered question why Bromley Councul refuses to facilitate a bid for the Museum and Heritage idea. I have sent letters to the Council and I am still waiting for a reply from Marc Hume Director of Renewal and Regeneration. The Council clearly have the in house skills to put together a bid as evidenced by their actions over the bid for the Priory Museum in Orpington.
On a more positive note, I have contacted the press with an urgent plea to invite interest and backers for the idea. I have also made the point to them that the Council is under an obligation to look after its assets including buildings in its care such as the Studio and the last 4/5 years of neglect is truly shocking.
I hope all readers of this email traffic will encourage wider interest in the building. Ultimately, I suspect it boils down to keen interest and marketing, both seemingly lacking in the Civic Centre at the moment over this project.

Rod Reed

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 10, 2010 at 18:15

Roderick Andrew Reed said:

Tracie Anderson said:

Perhaps you didn't read my previous message in full Rod but according to the Chief Executive Bromley Council has no such obligation, legal or otherwise.


Roderick Andrew Reed said:

Dear all,

I appreciate that we are at a late stage in the proceedings but there is still the unanswered question why Bromley Councul refuses to facilitate a bid for the Museum and Heritage idea. I have sent letters to the Council and I am still waiting for a reply from Marc Hume Director of Renewal and Regeneration. The Council clearly have the in house skills to put together a bid as evidenced by their actions over the bid for the Priory Museum in Orpington.
On a more positive note, I have contacted the press with an urgent plea to invite interest and backers for the idea. I have also made the point to them that the Council is under an obligation to look after its assets including buildings in its care such as the Studio and the last 4/5 years of neglect is truly shocking.
I hope all readers of this email traffic will encourage wider interest in the building. Ultimately, I suspect it boils down to keen interest and marketing, both seemingly lacking in the Civic Centre at the moment over this project.

Rod Reed

Cllr John Getgood, Penge & Cator ward said:

I have supported a Museum as part of the Studio site. However, when the council was asking for bids for the site, nothing like that was offered. And no-one was talking about HL funding. I would have thought that if the funding was available, the Church would have already been on to it. Unfortunately, even if it is viable idea with a proper business case, I fear you are probably too late. As far as I am aware, the council has signed the agreement with the Church. It's going to take a pretty strong and secure proposal to get them to pull out of it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roderick Andrew Reed on September 10, 2010 at 18:23

Dear Tracie,

Sorry if this is a repeat of a message sent but perhaps you did not read my email properly. Ther appears to be an inconsistency if Bromley Council can organise a lottery bid for The Priory Museum yet refuses to facilitate one for the Studio and is also failing so far to respond to correspondence on the subject. I believe the Council was also involved in the Biggin Hill Heriatge Centre bid as well.
This is bizarre considering the Studio by your own account is crumbling so should be a top priority!

A much wider trawl of potential backers for The Studio is needed including a Museum and Heritage Centre-a suggestion which so far has been well received by residents I have spoken to in the area. In order to reach a wider audience, I contacted the press this week with an appeal for backers.

Hopefully there is still time for these ideas to be incorporated in The Studio.

Regards,


Rod Reed

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Zoe Hannam on October 7, 2010 at 17:20

DEAR ALL

THE SAVE THE STUDIO CAMPAIGN GROUP INVITE SUPPORTERS
TO THE PUBLIC GALLERY AT BROMLEY CIVIC CENTRE TONIGHT AT 7:00pm
TO ATTEND THE SUB COMMITTEE MEETING REGARDING CITYGATES PLANNING APPLICATION FOR THE STUDIO

Late notice, but at this stage in the proceedings support is valued and much appreciated.

Regards
Zoe

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracie Anderson on October 8, 2010 at 7:15

Well planning permission has been granted to Citygate. I have mixed feelings about this as I'm sure many of you do. Citygate's representative was vague at all times during questioning and one had the feeling that either he didn't know what he was talking about as he was not well informed or that he was being deliberately evasive as there is, as we all suspect, another agenda here. However what it does mean is that this beautiful building will hopefully now be saved. I think it is our responsibility as a community to monitor the work involved to restore it and the running of it once the work has been carried out. Citygate's representative did not address our questions re what the 3 counselling rooms will be used for nor did any councillors. Nor would they be specific in answering why they need a huge audotorium rather than replacing the stage area. They say the reason they are not using glass for the lift is for safety reasons during a fire despite being challenged on this by a council member re hundreds of buildings using special glass in these instances. They would not agree to a condition being put in place with regard to this & so it looks like they will go ahead with their architects plans and install something that looks like an industrial chimney??? They state that the premises will not be used for religious practices but as far as we can see there is no condition in the planning permission to prevent them from doing this at a later stage. The public gallery was full of teenage members of their congregation and although I am sure we all would embrace any faith that wishes to take part in activities at the Studio it must remain an inclusive space. It is up to us as a community to monitor this and make sure our needs are met and not just a small minority's. Let us hope that Citygate are true to their word & once again the arts may flourish in this space and it be a positive move for the future x

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Zoe Hannam on October 8, 2010 at 8:19

Thank you Tracie,

Our communities fate left in the hands of Bromley Council. I trust we can learn our lessons from this and realise the frustration of individuals like Garnet Frost who is prepared to campaign on issues that really do have a major impact on our community.

Taking into consideration the new mood of localism that is being promoted and actively encouraged by the current government, Councillor Rod Reed is lobbying for Beckenham to form a new town council in order to become independent again, priorities would include planning powers, housing priorities, heritage and arts promotion, highways and rejuvenating the local economy and High Streets. The essence of the proposal is that local residents have a far greater say on the priorities. It should help to breath new life into neighbourhood government and encourage greater involvement.

Beckenham had a town council from 1934 to 1964 it covered a population of 77,000 by 1960 and was representing more people than the council.

For more details of setting up a council see www.createacouncil.org.uk and follow Rod Reeds discussion.

I am going to keep this discussion open, I am sure we are all interested to follow developments as Citygate restores The Studio.

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS BECKENHAM TOWN
REGARDS
Zoe

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• …
• 8
• Next ›
• Page