Local Eyesores

[wrex]

When you get old there is plenty of time too think so let the youngsters drink and have a good time instead of busing our kids too England for their nights out.

[DaveR]

D-day for dilapidated former Llandudno theatre

Published date: 10 December 2014 |
Published by: Dean Jones .

LLANDUDNO Town Council has joined the fight to save the former Grand Theatre.

Council officials have formally written to Mr Peter Brown, head of Regulatory and Housing Services at Conwy County Council, with the Mostyn Broadway building set for auction today at The Dorchester, London.

The letter states: “Serious concern and disappointment was expressed about this once prominent and important feature of Llandudno being in a perilous state, in spite of planning conditions to maintain it.

“There is much interest in preserving the exterior and interior of the building, not only from the Town Council but also from local historical and conservation groups, and of course residents.

“We would welcome advice from Conwy Council regarding whether, with any sale or transaction of the Grand Theatre, there can be enforcement to ensure that the building is put back into a fit state as benefits a Grade II* listed building."

Trust members are working hard to put together a package to buy the building, opened in 1901, with the hope of restoring the theatre to its former glory.

A Conwy County Council spokesperson, said: "The Head of Regulatory Services and Housing has received correspondence from Llandudno Town Council.

"Planning and conservation officers will look into the request."

http://northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/141802/d-day-for-dilapidated-former-llandudno-theatre.aspx

[Fester]

Ha Dave!

I see that you have been given acknowledgement for the photography THIS time!   

[DaveR]

Ha Dave!

I see that you have been given acknowledgement for the photography THIS time!   

It's about time! 

[Fester]

You must have a really powerful and tenacious 'agent' 

[DaveR]

You must have a really powerful and tenacious 'agent' 

He certainly carries considerable influence in local exalted circles.

[Fester]

You must have a really powerful and tenacious 'agent' 

He certainly carries considerable influence in local exalted circles.

That sounds a bit rude.... if you think about it.

[DaveR]

The Boulevard/Grand Theatre failed to sell at Auction yesterday. This can only mean that ANY offer for the building will now be seriously considered by the Vendors.

Llandudno and Wrexham nightclubs fail to sell at auction
Dec 10, 2014 18:35 By Tom Davidson

Despite slashed prices Broadway Boulevard and Chicago's failed to meet their reserve price

Broadway Boulevard in Llandudno and Chicago’s in Wrexham both failed to meet reserves in the sale by London-based auctioneers Allsop.

The nightclubs are owned by Atmosphere Bars and Clubs, who slashed their prices in November in the hope of encouraging a sale .

Both have been closed since June 2013 , when Atmosphere Bars and Clubs went into administration, with around 40 workers losing their jobs.

The 1,000 capacity Boulevard is still on the market for £500,000.

David Sutcliffe, from leisure property specialist Fleurets, which handled the sales before the auction said the owners were “keen to dispose of these non-core assets”.

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch Saunders said she hoped a buyer could be secured for the Boulevard in Llandudno.

She said: “There is some local momentum to see this building brought back into use, however not necessarily as a nightclub.

“Some have expressed much interest in seeing it fully restored in a traditional and sympathetic manner and a whole host of ideas suggested have been along the lines of a music hall, a theatre, old-style cinema, and perhaps an all round family entertainment centre.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-wrexham-nightclubs-fail-sell-8267899

[DaveR]

Campaign group 'overwhelmed' by public support to save the Grand Theatre

Published date: 07 January 2015
Published by: Dean Jones


A MEETING has been scheduled to discuss saving the former Grand Theatre in Llandudno.

Members of the Grand Theatre Trust have set an initial date of late February for the meeting to discuss efforts to safeguard the venue housed in the Mostyn Broadway site, closed since June, 2013.

Mark Pavey, working on behalf of the Grand Theatre Trust, said: “The public support surrounding the site has been overwhelming.

“We are currently exploring all avenues of funding to see what is available, and we will be putting posters and flyers around the community to alert more people to our cause.”

The trust recently held talks with representatives from Mostyn Estates, who told them that the cost to repair the damage to the building, up unitl recently housing the Broadway Boulevard, was estimated at £500,000, and that restoring it made “no commercial sense”.

John Lawson Reay, of the Grand Theatre Trust, said: “The trust feel that the restoration of the Grand Theatre would be the pinnacle of community action, and what an achievement it would be for the town if we were to be successful.”

Lottery funding is now being explored by the trust, and Llandudno Town Council has also written to Peter Brown, head of Regulatory and Housing Services at Conwy Council, to request “enforcement measures” are put in place to safeguard the site.

The campaign has also received the support of Aberconwy Assembly Member Janet Finch-Saunders, who stated she plans to bring the matter before the Welsh Assembly in the near future.

Trust members, who will announce a specific date and venue for the public meeting in coming weeks, have also launched a website, www.grandtheatre.co.uk where people can make donations to the plans.

http://northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/142716/campaign-group-overwhelmed-by-public-support-to-save-the-grand-theatre.aspx

[Dave]

I know very little but I am led to believe as a nightclub it was profitable, the only one of the clubs that the current owners had which didn't run at a loss. There is no doubt that some kind of nightclub is needed in the locality to provide for the needs of the local younger generation and indeed, to bring people in to the area from further afield.I am told that Llandudno is a lot quieter at night now that the Boulevard has closed. A lot of people might see that as a benefit but from a commercial point of view it certainly isn't and it has a knock on effect on other businesses too.
There is talk of renovating the theatre to it's former glory but is there any point ? What would you do with it ? Venue Cymru get's regular criticism for being a financial black hole but how would this new theatre compete without loosing a fortune too?

[Ian]

There is talk of renovating the theatre to it's former glory but is there any point ? What would you do with it ? Venue Cymru get's regular criticism for being a financial black hole but how would this new theatre compete without loosing a fortune too?

One idea that was floated was to make it into a showcase for all the local voluntary groups that put shows on in Llandudno throughout the season. I suspect there's no denying the problems it would face, however, and I think that a compete renovation would mean throwing a lot of cash at a place with a very uncertain future.

[OrmeMac]

Trust members, who will announce a specific date and venue for the public meeting in coming weeks, have also launched a website, www.grandtheatre.co.uk where people can make donations to the plans.

Shame the link takes you to a website for Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

[Ian]

This is the correct link:

www.thegrandtheatre.co.uk

[wrex]

Great news,Mr Lawson=Reay wants to reopen Broadway, problem is  it takes all the attention away from the town beach and oh,what about The Pier Pavillion,nobody want to rebuild that to its former glory,make a good community center,ha.

[DaveR]

It was 30 years ago that the last attempt to restore the Grand Theatre was underway:
[smg id=2689]