13 April 2010  -  Email responding to Cllr MartinFrearson

As the Cabinet will tonight be considering the proposal to spend in excess of £500,000 of taxpayers money in setting up an 'art-house' venue in the Maltings, I thought it might be helpful to respond to your email message with some further information.

The fact is that James Hannaway's company is now the freehold owner of the former Odeon cinema building. The latest information from his website reads as follows:

Update from James Hannaway on 12 April 10 We completed on the old Odeon/Alpha building on Friday 9th April 2010. I think there are no superlatives left to describe the extraordinary will, generosity (of spirit on top of money) and determination shown by you, the people of St Albans and surrounding towns and villages, to see that this cinema was not lost. It is now my job to rebuild that cinema.

see http://www.allaboutstalbans.com/cinema-news-updates/1


You will note his confirmation that it is the people of St Albans who have raised more than £1million.

On examination, it would surely become obvious to the electorate that if their Council have a vested interest in a cinema in the Maltings, it will end up competing more or less directly with, and therefore possibly frustrate, the Odeon initiative. We question the use of public funds in this way.

Turning to the specific points raised in your email, the Society, and various of its members, have been commercial hirers of the Maltings. We therefore speak from some experience of the economics of using that venue and the income / ticket sales ratio needed to ensure viability.

It is correct to say no-one can be certain at this stage that the Odeon will be successfully refurbished and reopened as a cinema. However, the information above demonstrates that significant positive progress is being made.

You say you are disinterested in the nature of the cinema scheme. However, the decisions you have been party to on matters that affect that site (such as granting permission for demolition of the building) and your past views on the covenant, give a different impression. We hope recent events will encourage you and your colleagues to adopt a more positive position.

Finally, I think you have mis-understood the reference to the City Vision exercise. We too wish to see it realised. The Maltings proposal needs to be considered in the light of this larger project for the city.

Regards

Peter Trevelyan (Chair, St Albans Civic Society) 13 April 2010


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8 April 2010  -  Email to all Councillors

To: All Councillors

From: St Albans Civic Society

CABINET - TUESDAY 13 APRIL 2010

MALTINGS ARTS THEATRE

The Society wishes to make the following representations with respect to the report before Cabinet concerning the Maltings Arts Theatre and the creation of an "art-house" cinema venue.

Whilst we agree the reception area needs some enhancement, the Society seriously questions the expenditure in excess of £500,000 to create a so-called "art-house venue". Particularly so in the current economic climate of limited Council funds competing for more essential projects. Even more so now that it is confirmed that the former Odeon has been definitely acquired by an experienced and proven commercial operator, drawing on monies volunteered by residents largely from St Albans District. The former Odeon will become a cinema showing a range of films with a wide audience appeal, in quality, big-screen surroundings.

There appears to be muddled thinking in the report. On the one hand an art-house venue reliant on volunteers is detailed but, on the other hand, the reception / foyer area will be filled with drinks and popcorn machines more akin to a multiplex. Not a happy mix! Does this not show confused thinking over the potential market. Get this project wrong and, as your consultants' warn, "a poorly re-developed Maltings would face a tough future".

If Cabinet / Council are determined to proceed with this ill-judged scheme, the Society is concerned about the likely impact on the ability of the Maltings to host an increased range of uses and events, thus losing its unique small-venue position in the City. The 110 cinema seat capacity described in the report is insufficient for live performances receiving no direct subsidy. The seating needs to be flexible and possible to supplement by at least another 75% (i.e. to give a seating capacity of around 190) if ticket sales are to cover performers' fees and hirer / production costs and still be pitched at reasonable prices. Otherwise the public stand to lose this amenity, and the venue itself could stand to lose even more money, especially after 2012 when the former Odeon should open offering a proper big-screen experience.

Cabinet should also recognise that the City Vision report has recommended a new cinema is located in St Peter's Street. Why is this being ignored - this proposal is evidently premature.

This Council's track record in respect of cinema provision has been poor. It may feel under an obligation to provide a much-promised cinema facility in St Albans. But this project needs more careful thought over the long-term viability and role of the Maltings Arts Theatre. An inappropriate and ill-considered quick-fix solution would be a mistake. We ask for this project to be re-thought.

Peter Trevelyan (Chair, St Albans Civic Society)  8th April 2010