What's Llandudno Like Right Now?

[DaveR]

This is one of two shelters in Haulfre Gardens, Llandudno. The other shelter is even worse - boarded up, unusable and the roof is disintegrating.  When CCBC received a large Lottery grant back in 1999 to renovate the parks, it was on the understanding that they would be appropriately maintained afterwards. What on earth must our visitors think when they see things like this?

[Yorkie]

Problem is that if you rebuild the wall one day it will be knocked down the next.   How much can CCBC realistically spend on continued maintenance in such circumstances?  After all it is the ratepayer who meets the cost in the end.     :rage: 

[Pendragon]

Why not ask the Community Payback Scheme to include this on their list and others like them.
 

[DaveR]

Problem is that if you rebuild the wall one day it will be knocked down the next.   How much can CCBC realistically spend on continued maintenance in such circumstances?  After all it is the ratepayer who meets the cost in the end.     :rage: 

CCBC haven't spent one penny on it since it was renovated using Lottery Money in 2000! That's the problem - it's down to neglect more than vandalism.

Community Payback would be a good idea for something like this, it's a fairly simple task.

[Nemesis]

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/01/11/record-passengers-on-great-orme-tram-despite-collision-55578-27963333/

[Yorkie]

QUOTE:  Cllr Billy Evans, of Llandudno Town Council, is thrilled with the tramway’s popularity. He said: “It’s fantastic news. All we need is the weather and people would have no need to go abroad with the attractions we’ve got.”    L0L
UNQUOTE

Well, I suppose, we have the Pier, The Tram, The Cable Car and , and ....... er,  and ...... er, er......  and we have the Pier, The Tram, The Cable Car and er .....!   
Who does he think he's kidding? 
Of course, if it should rain one can always go on the .....er.......er......!     

Got to go a long way to stop folk going abroad, Billy!      ¢¢##

[DaveR]

"Conwy County Borough Council has a good record on health and safety.”
That's not what the Accident Investigation Report said!

[Michael]

OOOhhh, Yorkie ---- the passengers on the cablecar and the tram can see at least three good tourist attractions, and two of them are heaving with customers on a nice day. The third one isent actually heaving, maybe an erratic trickle,  but----give me time!!! Mike

[Hugo]

Very well putt Mike

 :golf:

[Yorkie]

Hole in one there Mike - really stymied yours truly!   

[DaveR]

I see Frank Gorka is still valiantly struggling to push forward his plans to renovate the West Shore Tram Shelter, after FIVE YEARS to trying. Full credit to Frank, I spoke to him today and he just keeps on plugging away at it, won't take no for an answer. We could do with more people like him in the town.

Plans for West Shore tram shelter at stalemate
Jan 13 2011 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

NEARLY five years after they were first proposed, plans to convert a derelict Victorian tram shelter into a tourist attraction have made little progress.

Businessman Frank Gorka wants to restore the Grade II listed building at Llandudno’s West Shore and convert it into a small cafe and tourist information centre.

But legal wrangles over the tenancy and a slow moving planning process mean he has become frustrated.

Llandudno Town Council has now decided to take the initiative to try to get the project moving.

Cllr Billy Evans said he and other councillors had recently met with county council officials and hoped they had come up with a solution.

“Having had discussions with Mr Gorka it’s obvious he’s not very happy with the delays. It will be five years next May since he first said he’d be interested in renovating the tram shelter.

“He has employed an architect to draw up plans and submitted an application for change of use, all of which has involved considerable cost and he’s upset at the way he’s been treated by the county council,” claimed Cllr Evans.

He said Mr Gorka felt the county council had made unreasonable demands but was still willing to proceed with the project if a lease could be agreed and permission granted.

Cllr Margaret Lyon sympathised with Mr Gorka.

“This has been going round and round in circles. I admire Mr Gorka for persevering for so long as he has been given the run around by the county council,” she said.

Cllr Terry Davies said the county council was now suggesting that the town council retain the lease of the building and sub-let it to Mr Gorka.

“This is how we should proceed. Mr Gorka has spent thousands on this project and will have to spend a good deal more so he should have it rent free for at least the first ten years,” he said.

[Fester]

Dealing with the Council (any council) is notorously cumbersome and frustrating.

Perhaps Mr Gorka should re-direct his investment and noble efforts towards one of the town's private enterprises?
They would be more eager to accomodate him, and perhaps a privately owned eyesore would be improved very quickly, into an attractive and profitable business?



 

[DaveR]

What could you be thinking of? 

[Yorkie]

Mr Gorka should put up with his frustration, after all it is not the first time he has had dealings with the Town or County Councils.   He has made a concious effort to get his ideas into fruition and that has been a personal and commercial decision on his part.  Why he should receive any form of compensation either in kind or otherwise is a non starter.

There was enough of Mr Gorka's rumblings when he took over the Rest and be Thankful.  "Thankful" he obviously was not, as he then spent the next few years pushing his development plans to almost make the Cafe into a residential property.

Leave the Tram Shelter as a permanent reminder of our past heritage and put your money into one of the empty shops in the Town, Mr Gorka.

As for Councillor Terry Davies's suggestion of 10 years free rent - he must be living in cloud cuckoo land as usual!

[DaveR]

There is, actually, a precedent already set in the area of a rent free period in return for renovation work. CCBC has recently granted the lease on the old refreshment kiosk on Deganwy prom to someone who will renovate in return for several years free rent. Being as Mr Gorka's renovation costs will be substantially higher, a 10 year rent free period would not seem unfair.