Shropshire cinema campaign group denies £7 million cost
The chairman of a group campaigning to breathe new life into a former Shropshire cinema has denied any suggestion that the project would cost taxpayers millions.
The former Clifton Cinema, in Wellington, is at the centre of a battle between developers and volunteers who want to turn the site into an venue for arts and music.
Recently "sold" signs appeared outside its entrance – although the name of the buyer remains unknown. Members of the Clifton Community Arts Centre have accused Telford & Wrekin Council of not doing enough to save the building for the borough. Group chairman Bill Graham said he was upset that the authority had suggested the plans would cost taxpayers £7 million on top of the cost of buying the building.
He said: "The key point is that by talking about a '£7m project cost' the council's PR machine is implying to the public that we are seeking sums of that order from the council. This is a total misrepresentation.
"What the campaign is asking the council to do is to acquire the site from Dunelm, or the putative developers then either lease or mortgage it, to the Clifton campaign. This is likely to be £500,000, possibly less. We can then raise money from charitable bodies.
"We have had positive responses, but all accompanied by that specific pre-condition – de facto ownership or a long lease. The council is not being asked for £7m, it being asked to acquire an asset so the community can create an arts and cultural centre.
"A secondary point is that many people are writing to their councillors urging action. Rather than receive considered and individual replies, they are being sent duplicated letters essentially repeating the council's inaccurate and misleading response to the Star – thus promulgating an untruth."
Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: "We cannot intervene at this stage due to the site having being sold. Councillors Lee Carter and Angela McClements are liaising closely with the group and are intending to pull together partners on the wider regeneration of Wellington too."
