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New plan that could save the State Cinema is unveiled (From Thurrock Gazette)
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New plan that could save the State Cinema is unveiled
11:45am Thursday 29th July 2010
THE Development Corporation has unveiled a £7.4million plan to restore the historic State Cinema to its former glory.
A feasibility study for the disused Grade II listed building in George Street, commissioned by Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation in November 2009, has just been completed and recommends a mix of uses to breathe new life into the building.
The proposal, which will now be presented to the owner of the building, TSP Properties, for consideration, sees the landmark comprising a three screen cinema, live entertainment venue, with a restaurant, coffee shop, bar, and banqueting facilities.
DC spokesman Sarah Barnes, said: “The State is a rare example of a 1930’s cinema in its original condition. It is an important landmark in Grays centre, and the Development Corporation Thurrock Council felt it important to consider how it might be brought back into use to assist the regeneration of the town”.
The State Cinema first opened in 1938 and retains many of its original art deco features, including the original Compton cinema organ, one of just a handful to survive in their original locations in cinemas.
The plan would also see the street frontage of the building improved to make it more attractive, with a new terrace, and the relighting of the tower and the State logo.
The original 30’s decor inside, particularly in the auditorium, ground floor foyer, and the first floor bar, is also earmarked for restoration.
The building was first put on the Buildings at Risk Register in 1991, in 1992 it was removed from the register after the cinema was refurbished and re-opened.
In 1996 the building was placed back on the register after it was closed and sold to supermarket giant Morrisons, as part of a deal which allowed it to build a new store and carpark, it has remained vacant ever since.
It was reportedly sold to current owners TSP Properties for £550,000 in October 2006.
The building, which is now leaky and pigeon infested, has been the subject of a long running community campaign calling for the Development Corporation or Thurrock Council to compulsorily purchase it and re-open it as a cinema.
The campaign, bolstered by a 1,885 strong Facebook group, is also supported by the Cinema and Theatre Association.
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Your Say YourThurrock
gs.davies, Maldon says...
2:54pm Thu 29 Jul 10
In all though, the proposals are mainly sensible and above all, acheivable with the right amount of resolve from all the concerned parties.
I'd be VERY keen to use it, even though I'm no longer from Thurrock.
knighs1, Fraggle Rock says...
11:07pm Thu 29 Jul 10
Mattster, South Stifford says...
11:29pm Thu 29 Jul 10
knighs1 wrote:I was waiting for the moronic 'blow it up' comment thanks for not disappointing.
It was and always will be a tip, just knock it down or ever better, blow it up...it might take half of Grays out with it with any luck!
gs.davies, Maldon says...
10:49am Fri 30 Jul 10
knighs1 wrote:Plenty of others disagree - yes, it's a bit untidy outside, but inside is a different story.
It was and always will be a tip, just knock it down or ever better, blow it up...it might take half of Grays out with it with any luck!
See here for recent pictures..
http://www.28dayslat
er.co.uk/forums/show
thread.php?t=40206
Also some excellent pictures of the cinema before it's closure, showing that it was far from 'a tip' at
http://www.statecine
ma.co.uk/State%20Cin
ema%20Website%20Gall
ery/slides/state1012
.html
karen29, Grays says...
12:22pm Fri 30 Jul 10
Mattster, South Stifford says...
3:02pm Fri 30 Jul 10
karen29 wrote:well they are always looking for places to have churches - this would be ideal.
With a large and ever growing African community in Grays perhaps the new owners should hold a few 'African cinema' days - would pack the place out!
Dave_, Corringham says...
3:08pm Fri 30 Jul 10
The State could provide an excellent music venue, something that this area sadly lacks. It might not get the big names in as they seem to like the larger soul less venues. But for any upcoming bands, local bands etc it would be excellent.
As for cinema maybe do 2/3 nighters of classic films and a Saturday club for youngsters.
Combine both uses and get a really good local facility. That could get some use. Oh yes and free car-parking.
The only problem would be the anally retentive council and licensing bench, when it comes to any entertainment venue in Thurrock.
karen29, Grays says...
3:11pm Fri 30 Jul 10
Mattster wrote:It makes business sense to offer something for a major part of our community. It could be hired for use as a church and also a wedding reception venue and to other faith groups like the growing muslim community. The BME community will make up a majority of some parts of the borough in a few years time so it makes business sense to offer a wide variety of services at the refurbished State. Perhaps the tower at the State sould be used as a mineret?
karen29 wrote: With a large and ever growing African community in Grays perhaps the new owners should hold a few 'African cinema' days - would pack the place out!well they are always looking for places to have churches - this would be ideal.
rocket1, chafford says...
7:51pm Fri 30 Jul 10
gs.davies, Maldon says...
10:27pm Fri 30 Jul 10
SaveOurStanford, Stanford says...
12:44am Sat 31 Jul 10
Mattster, South Stifford says...
12:59am Sat 31 Jul 10
SaveOurStanford wrote:Again, another sensible comment from someone unable to even find the CAPS LOCK on their keyboard.
WHAT A WASTE OF OUR TAXES !!! JUST PULL IT DOWN AND BUILD SOME MORE FLATS ! WE NEED THE HOMES WITH THE 2012 ROUND THE CORNER , WHO IS SERIOUSLY GOING TO A SINGLE SCREEN DAMP COLD CINEMA WITH POOR PARKING ? WHEN WE HAVE 20 SCREENS AT LAKY AND ANOTHER 10 AT BASVEGAS !
rogwj, says...
8:53am Sat 31 Jul 10
Baphomet, Thurrock says...
9:34am Sat 31 Jul 10
karen29, Grays says...
1:30pm Sat 31 Jul 10
Baphomet wrote:We have to face the reality that the BME community will be the majority in some areas of the borough in the not too distant future so it is only right and proper that any services reflect the needs of the whole community not just the minority white community.
BME, 3 of my favorite letters,
seanv, Ex Thurrock Resident says...
7:36pm Sat 31 Jul 10
The fault for the years and decay of this building ultimately lays with Thurrock Council for allowing Morrisons to NOT keeping up the maintenance and preservation, but Morrisons fooled the people of Thurrock to get the green light to build their supermarket and had no intention to do anything with the state than to sell it off.
Yesterday I came to Grays and was alarmed at the amount of Afro/Caribbean residents strolling/shopping..
. perhaps the State would make an ideal meeting venue for them as it certainly has the capacity to hold large numbers. Perhaps Thurrock Council should consider some PR excercise to rename it Black State - Grays.
LifelongGrays, says...
7:58am Sun 1 Aug 10
Baphomet, Thurrock says...
8:44am Sun 1 Aug 10
seanv, Ex Thurrock Resident says...
10:51am Sun 1 Aug 10
Its sad to see that some of the residents of Thurrock have just sat back and watched the decline.
Both the Town Centre and the state have not been supported by the people of Thurrock.
Its bound to happen where Grays will become another Moss side, Toxteth, Tottenham. You have the power to stop the decline and influx of immigrants by all pulling together, supporting the local economy which as a result will stabilise house prices. If anyone knows about migrants then you will see prices drop, which makes purchase of houses affordable for the migrants and then all others in the BME community will follow suit.
Dave_, Corringham says...
4:17pm Sun 1 Aug 10
When Lakeside (centre and park) were built the standing Council at the time should have made parking after 9 am (Mon-Fri) and weekend parking free, to encourage people to use the town centre. But no, they kept charging so Grays turned from a once vibrant town centre to a place that after about 1pm is all but deserted on a Saturday and only kept going in the main by local workers Mon-Fri.
Now there is a chance of The State re-opening I bet they stick all manner of arbitrary and pointless restrictions to make opening it non-viable. I don't know why it's usage for a minority group has even been discussed.
I think showing films in a proper auditorium would score points over the multiplexes. Then as I said music and what about other variety acts and stage performances. Would it bring a load of new prosperity who knows, but a couple of thousand people coming to and out of an auditorium would want feeding and watering. I think the latter is what the wasters on Thurrock Councl would get their underwear in a knot over.
Baphomet, Thurrock says...
9:22pm Sun 1 Aug 10
Frank1, Grays says...
5:55pm Mon 2 Aug 10
The final performance of Great Balls of Fire in 1989 shows the screening times and the message:
"We regret that due to lack of local support this cinema will close on 30th November"
If you want to complain about losing 'your' place and identity in your country or town then do something about protecting, supporting and safeguarding the heritage.
For those that do want to play the race card and turn a campaign to preserve part of our history into a political issue, take heart from the fact that the State had a 25lb anti-aircraft gun installed in the tower to defend our shores in 1940.
Baphomet, Thurrock says...
8:16pm Mon 2 Aug 10
Frank1, Grays says...
11:52pm Mon 2 Aug 10
Baphomet wrote:Doesn't matter how many guns are on top of it if the locals don't bother supporting it.
Frank, we could do with a few of those anti-aircraft guns at our shores now. In those days our people fought to save us from being invaded, now our traitors from within just open the gates and expect us to be happy about it.
The reason it shut was because residents (no matter what colour or party) didn't support it.
Baphomet, Thurrock says...
10:17am Wed 4 Aug 10
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Freddy K, Grays says...
1:08pm Thu 29 Jul 10
.
I really hope that this proposal goes ahead as the area will benefit from an entertainmet complex without the need to travel to Lakeside.