Bid to restore cinema before final credits roll

“@Qwertie; thanks for your reply. I'm disappointed that you find my comment to be 'utter drivel'. I agree with you that anyone who complains about building on greenbelt as it spoils their view is a parochial NIMBY.

If your comment is meant to suggest that I am such a NIMBY, I am not. I live in BS4, and enjoy a view of the Bath Road and opposing houses from the front. To the rear is similar, but I cannot see the Bath Road in that direction (to see that from both front and back would suggest I lived on a roundabout or had erected a complex system of mirrors - neither is true). I have no side views as my house is terraced.

My preference for refraining from building on virgin land is that it is less preferable to using already developed 'brown field' sites in the centre of the city. This is largely because of the 'broken windows' theory. If we prioritise building in the country while city centre sites go derelict, city areas degenerate which is not good for the existing populace. The cinema is just such a site. In fact, it's a great site for conversion to flats. Clifton is already a thriving and populous area and there are plenty of local facilities. As housing is the most pressing of social needs (far higher than the national cinema shortage we hear so little of) the need and opportunity come together: The right answer is convert to housing.

So, what's the form of NIMBYism the denialists are exhibiting, I hear you ask? Well, it's the form of NIMBYism that denies that commercial and social reality has a role in their community, that change to meet the modern needs of the city has no place in their back yard.

I suppose, therefore, your 'utter drivel' reply indicates that you disagreee with me that this sort of NIMBYism is worse than the 'protect my view' type you describe? Well, we can argue the toss on that. I think my form is worse because it's dressed up under fluffy ideals of social do-gooderness. It's subtle and insidious.”

“@redferryman1 you're right re Westmorland House. There was a consultation recently which opened my eyes to the painful process it would take to do something about that. This is something that should be taken up at national level. Easier compulsory purchase would send out a message to developers to do up or sell up and stop the biggest contribution to anti-social behaviour in the area. Broken window theory? It's broken building theory on Stokes Croft.”

“Qwertie

I seem to remember that the Council tried to compel the owners Westmorland House in Stokes Croft to either release or renovate the property, but to no avail! It's an expensive and lengthy process - and the legal fees are paid by the likes of you and I!”

“"The campaigners need to understand the consequences of their actions and deal in reality rather than nostalgia. To do otherwise simply makes them the worst sort of NIMBY"

Utter Drivel. I think you'll find the worst kind of NIMBY is one who protects their "greenbelt" (aka nice view) by encouraging under-sized accommodation in an already crowded area. A valid reason to not support the cinema bid would be related to traffic or antisocial behaviour; not because it allows 5 small flats to be built.

The most galling aspect of this story is that the London based owners have let this historic building deteriorate and sit unused for so long. Can't the council force fines/sales on these planning-application chancers?”

“Bristol has a housing shortage, not a cinema shortage. The direct consequence, therefore, of returning this to a cinema rather than turning it into flats will be to push more new building into the green belt.

The campaigners need to understand the consequences of their actions and deal in reality rather than nostalgia. To do otherwise simply makes them the worst sort of NIMBY.”

“They should demolish it, build some flats and invite some Somalians over to live in said flats.”

“as much as I would like to see this venue as a Cinema, and I do think there is room for a different type of cinema in Bristol with good food and Watershed style films combined in a classic setting. There are other issues.

We all know there are still old style cinemas we can visit in the area , Like the Orpheus , or the Odean in Broadmead . Travel a little further and there is a great example in Clevedon.

But , I think romantic nostalgic plays a part, I am 42 and was used to going to old style cinemas in the late 70's early 80's and when the multiplex venues came along with loads of films and screens it was brilliant.

Just to recap on what I said earlier, a grown up cinema (the watershed is not it because of parking probs plus its very tight inside and the unitary cramped nature of the studios) in a large old building with great deli style snacks and a good selection of local beers and quality wines in Whiteladies Rd offering quality films (maybe with discussion afterwards) could be a goer.”

“In spite of the current recession, the arts and media world are often awash with grants and bursaries! Isn't there a community/charitable arts trust which could rescue this beautiful piece of Bristol heritage which has been left neglected for too long?

Guess it's just another example of a community's inability to distinguish between 'cost' and 'value'!

With a bit of imagination - a commodity not in short supply in Bristol - can't the commercial and arts worlds come together and preserve the Picture House?”

“The sad fact is that the masses will choose the out of town multiplexes.

I used to go to ABC minors at Whiteladies cinema, but give me the choice to watch a movie in an IMAX 3D multiplex and there in a shot.

Nostalgia aint what it used to be.”

“If someone is willing to stump up the cash and believes they can make it viable then it would be great to save it as a cinema. We've lost too many local cinemas which are always a much more atmospheric experience than the multiplexes.

Good luck!”