What happened to the St Thomas More Hall?

[minder]

After replying to a post about what's happening to the Fred Francis Day Centre and whether it could be used as a nursery, I suddenly thought of the St Thomas More Hall.

Did that move forward on the nursery front?

[Sue]

minder Wrote:

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> After replying to a post about what's happening to

> the Fred Francis Day Centre and whether it could

> be used as a nursery, I suddenly thought of the St

> Thomas More Hall.

>

> Did that move forward on the nursery front?

xxxxxxx

No.

Last that was posted on here was that it might become a cinema, but then all went quiet.

[holloway]

i remeber well the giddy excitement generated by the news of ED getting a cinema, call me cynical but i knew full well that there was more chance of me becoming the first man on mars than there was of that happening.

[LondonMix]

You are cynical. Did you think the cinema would open in a month?

If its going to happen, it will take time like all things do. The discussions around it becoming a cinema weren't idle gossip. It was discussed during a church meeting and with the local councillor. Apparently 3 different cinema groups have approached the church.

[James Barber]

An offer for this hall to be made a cinema has been made by two cinema chains and talknig to Father Gerry one of the offers (not sure if I can say whihc one) is being taken to the diocese for a decision.

I am very excited by the propect of a local cinema.

Are you?

[mynamehere]

I am, thanks for helping to facilitate

[Mick Mac]

holloway..... what do you think now.

[holloway]

It was discussed in a church meeting you say..? Well that changes everything. I will alert Hollywood.

[Sue]

holloway Wrote:

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> It was discussed in a church meeting you say..?

> Well that changes everything. I will alert

> Hollywood.

xxxxxx

Well, as the church are the present owners of the hall, I guess yes, it is pretty significant, since they will be the ones potentially selling the hall to the cinema chain ......

[Earl Aelfheah]

Very excited indeed. Thanks James

[MissWiggy]

Wow, very exciting!

James - how can we keep ourselves updated about this (not expecting you to post regular updates).

[James Barber]

As I hear news I'll post in on the forum.

I'm hopeful the diocese will make a decision before Xmas. Planning application in the new ear and building works start around Easter. But I am optimistic by nature!

When the planning application occurs we'll seriously promote it to ensure maximium feedback and the very timeliness of decision.

[holloway]

Not. Going. To. Happen.

[Mick Mac]

holloway. I hope you have humble pie ready for next year.

[Tamineh]

Excellent, it would be great to know which cinema chain (when you are able to let people know).

[minder]

Thanks for all the updates.

Just wondering if the building is big enough for a cinema?

[Sue]

holloway Wrote:

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> Not. Going. To. Happen.

xxxxxx

What a little ray of sunshine you are, holloway :))

[MissWiggy]

Thank you James!

[James Barber]

Hi Minder,

The two chains that I spoke further with - Curzon and Ritzy - said 3 screens.

[philosophie]

I am very excited by the prospect and would definitely use it! Thanks for facilitating, James.

[worldwiser]

Beyond excited. We thought about doing a business plan to open a cinema one day in ED. (I used to run proper student cinema back in the day.) Guess one of these chains will save us the trouble! Hope they won't try and compete with the multiplexes and have a varied programme on offer. Look forward very much to the updates.

[BrandNewGuy]

Mmmmm - Curzon! Comfiest seats in London.

[unlurked]

Ritzy picturehouse owned by Cineworld. Beyond disappointed.

[Lordlordship]

Beyond excited

[pipsky2008]

On the very edge of indifferent. What was wrong with cinema Paradiso at the Magdela. It would seem the economics needed some tweaking but there were the seeds of success