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| Fingersmith McRaker
The Gaumont Chippenham opened in November 1936 as a state of the art cinema. The opening souvenir programme said that ‘the building was a luxurious addition to the amenities of the town.’ The Gaumont, since closing as a cinema in 1974 has briefly been a store and then as most people would remember it: a nightclub. Firstly run by Ross entertainments and then Sir Richard Branson. During this time many very famous bands and artistes have visited Chippenham and performed on the Goldiggers stage. The building brought a great deal of trade and business to the town. Other halls in the town have been classed as performance venues but could in no-way match the purpose built ‘Goldiggers’. Sir Richard Branson once said in his brochure ‘this astonishing venue is like its name suggests…A real find! And Goldiggers is now one of the most advanced and adaptable entertainment spaces in the country!’
Yet, as I’m sure you have read in the press recently, it is North Wiltshire District Council’s intention to allow this Chippenham landmark to be demolished for 3 shops and 24 low cost flats above. Have we not got enough of these already as the whole of the ‘Flowers’ site opposite is going to be housing and more will appear soon on the whole of the Cattle market and Westinghouse sites.
Most of the Chippenham performing arts groups and dance companies are so desperate for a good, large scale venue in Chippenham that they have been forced to stage their shows at hall’s in Trowbridge over the last few years. Why should we have to travel to neighbouring towns to put on a show when we have this brilliant building in our own town centre, that the youth and community could use? Comedian Roy Hudd said ‘What a shame it would be if those who make the decisions go for the highest bidder rather than for a scheme that would benefit Chippenham.’ He also added, ‘it would be tragedy if Chippenham were to let the chance of something very special slip-by…surely there are already enough pubs, shops and housing in the area.’
The Cinema Theatre association in London, which is the national body for the protection of cinema buildings, stated that they would very much regret the loss of this cinema building as it is more internally complete than was first thought. They also said ‘it holds an important place in the history of 20th Century cinema architecture.’
In autumn 2003, the district councils ‘improving North Wiltshire’ publication came through residents doors stating that the ‘people’s voice’ survey said:
• 61% felt that facilities for young people were underprovided.
• 81% felt that increased facilities would mean young people may cause less trouble.
• In North Wiltshire it was generally felt that there was little opportunity to take part in arts events.
Is this not what the town residents, local churches and community groups have been asking for all along? We have been ignored once already despite the District Council’s public consultation on this building two years ago which stated that:
• 81% of residents did not want to see this building demolished
• Over 40% said that their first choice would be a leisure venue, such as a theatre/arts venue.
Please complete the questionnaire in the March edition of Moon-raker.
If you havent received one please contact us on 813042 and one will be posted to you.
http://www.chippenham.gov.uk/towncouncil/councillor.htm
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