Council to investigate buying The State Cinema

2:51pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in News

Inside the State Cinema in its heyday Inside the State Cinema in its heyday

OFFICERS at Thurrock Council have been told to look into buying the historic State Cinema.

Owners TSP Properties have put the Grade II listed building, in George Street, Grays, on the market with Savills UK, with the price on application.

Speaking at last night’s meeting of the full council, leader John Kent said the restoration of the “neglected” building could be key to the regeneration of Grays town centre.

He added: “We might actually be able to help bring this building back to life.

“I have asked officers to see if buying the cinema is possible and sensible.”

The 1930s art deco cinema, which has been empty for a number of years, was bought by TSP in 2006.

It has been on English Heritage’s at risk list since 1991.

Save The State campaigner Joe Gardner said he is relieved TSP wants to sell it.

He said: “We are delighted that the council are now considering options for the State.

“The building has a great deal of potential and for the last five years we have campaigned for the building to be brought into public ownership and be used as an entertainment venue for the local community.

“TSP properties have done very little to stop break-ins and vandalism in the six years they have owned the building so news of the sale comes somewhat as a relief.

“We are keen to assist the council in any way that we can over the coming months to ensure that the State is once again a hub for entertainment in Thurrock.”

The now defunct Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation commissioned a £50,000 feasibility study into the building in 2010, and came up with a £7.4million plan to restore the building.

It suggested combining a three-screen cinema with a live entertainment venue, restaurant, coffee shop, bar, and banqueting facilities.

In January planning permission was granted to turn the empty building into a leisure and conference centre, housing a restaurant, bar and shops.

The State Cinema was built for a cost of £100,000 and first opened in 1938.

It retains many of its original art deco features, including its Compton Organ.

The rare organ was stripped of its pipes after a break in last year, before this, it was one of only four of the organs in the country preserved it its original state.

To see the listing, log on to http://commercialsearch.savills.co.uk/property-detail/1152

Comments(10)

grays_mum says...
3:30pm Thu 21 Jun 12

It's great news that the council is even considering buying the State. Given the right care and attention it could be a real jewel in the crown around which the rest of the town could be regenerated.

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Cvh says...
3:59pm Thu 21 Jun 12

As long as it is going to restored and not used as a car park for Morrissons I will be happy

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d_2da_ougle says...
11:36pm Thu 21 Jun 12

are you haveing a joke i think tsp purchased this for 500,000 back in 2006, and then on top the place needs more money throwing at it to make the place worthy of having people inside again whilst im not saying the effort would not be worth it im just simply stating that thurrock council will not spend out that kind of money they are as tight as arse holes, the kind of council that lets belhus mansion go to waste and ford place they dont like expenditure

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rocket1 says...
1:28pm Fri 22 Jun 12

knock it down,its a white elephant.

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Mattster says...
8:51pm Fri 22 Jun 12

rocket1 wrote:
knock it down,its a white elephant.
Good old Rocket, bang on time with the same comment you make *every* time theres an article on The Stage.

What exactly would you replace it with? A Car Park or more flats for immigrants?

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rocket1 says...
3:20pm Sat 23 Jun 12

i would replace it with something economically viable,something that could pay its own way and not be a bottomless pit for our council tax.

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d_2da_ougle says...
10:29pm Sat 23 Jun 12

rocket lol whilst i do find your comments funny most of the time, this should not be knocked down it is defo a building worth saving however i cant see thurrock council spending that sum of money the place jsut needs a tidy up a gym installed function suites and other stuff to make it a 21st centuary viable business place people lack vision with things like this it would make a smashing night club however our police dont seem to like leaving the warmth of grays station like they do down in romford out in presence on a friday and saturday night its about time we had a decent place to go mind you dont get the number of immagrants and odd bods down romford town that grays has

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A.N.Other says...
9:58am Sun 24 Jun 12

The council are cutting services left right and centre. Now they are going to spend money on buying a building costing even more money to repair and run and the people who will suffer will be the residents when charges go up and services cut so the council can subsidise the running of this brick shell.

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Mattster says...
11:54am Sun 24 Jun 12

rocket1 wrote:
i would replace it with something economically viable,something that could pay its own way and not be a bottomless pit for our council tax.
So, no idea whatsoever then.

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rocket1 says...
2:10pm Sun 24 Jun 12

Mattster wrote:
rocket1 wrote:
i would replace it with something economically viable,something that could pay its own way and not be a bottomless pit for our council tax.
So, no idea whatsoever then.
mattster,you do not seem to understand the economics.this building closed as a cinema because it could not pay its way,it then opened as a bar/restaurant and again could not pay the bills,then it was a bar and it again could not pay its way,since then it has passed through the hands of numerous owners who have looked all the options and then walked away from the building,none of them could come up with any idea of how this building could pay for itself,now as a last resort people like you are trying to push it onto the taxpayer.

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