Ron's New plans for FF.

[undercovershrimper]

I can't open the doc for some reason so any chance of explaining what is 'sneaky' about what RM has done?

Its just a map of the site with very little detail

 

[Mick]

Nobody noticed that Ron has obviously sneakily agreed some sort of deal with Cecil Jones for the land next to the training ground

Good trick ....... he's been dead for years :winking:

 

[londonblue]

Good trick ....... he's been dead for years :winking:

That reminds me of a story that is completely off topic.

My dad used to be a partner in a law firm. The firm was named after the person that started up the firm, and was no-longer a partner.

During the summer holidays I worked there as a receptionist to earn a few quid. One day the phone rang and the conversation went a bit like this:

Person: "I'd like to speak to Mr. X".
Me: "That might be a bit difficult."
Person (in a very irate voice): "Oh, and why would that be then?"
Me: "Because he's been dead about 150 years, but you can speak to my dad if you want, he's one of the partners here."

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

Basically, a cinema, offices and players accommodation with associated car parking and landscaping have now been added. Very strange with the cinema as we already have the Odeon, and Cineworld is building one on the Seaway car park. They will all basically be showing the same films, so definitely no need for the third cinema at Fossetts Farm.
As someone said to me this morning, what if this is all deliberate by RM, knowing that the council may disapprove and add to a long further delay. Then he can turn around and blame it on the council.

 

[londonblue]

Basically, a cinema, offices and players accommodation with associated car parking and landscaping have now been added. Very strange with the cinema as we already have the Odeon, and Cineworld is building one on the Seaway car park. They will all basically be showing the same films, so definitely no need for the third cinema at Fossetts Farm.
As someone said to me this morning, what if this is all deliberate by RM, knowing that the council may disapprove and add to a long further delay. Then he can turn around and blame it on the council.

I doubt that's his game plan because:

a) he needs this built as much as we do, and
b) no-one would fall for that anyway.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

I doubt that's his game plan because:

a) he needs this built as much as we do, and
b) no-one would fall for that anyway.

That's fair comments, but who knows what is going on after pizza man still hasn't been served with a CPO, and prospects which was meant to be crucial for a giant supermarket to be built, went to Lidl.

 

[Cockle43]

There is obviously a demand for another cinema complex, or two, in Southend as an additional one was in the plans for Seaway.
Yes, we have an Odeon in the town but it is in a monopoly situation, the Odeon chain are expensive compared to others and tend to not show some of the more niche films. Odeon Southend is fine if you want to watch the big market films but for anything a little out of the ordinary I find I have to travel to Basildon, Lakeside or even further afield, so I believe there is a market there. Cineworld would not have been considering Seaway if it didn't make the business case, they are certainly not a charity.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

with respect, I did mention cecil jones. but a certain poster, can't remember who, shot me down as he knew best.

Yep I was one of the ones that first doubted the use of Jones Memorial ground for the Dome in another thread, but a couple of days later I did agree that the most likely position for the Domes would be at Jones.

Looking at the associated documents very little is given away, apart from it looks like the entrance to the Dome area will be using the existing entrance to Jones next to the Fire Station.

I can see quite a bit of opposition to using Jones Memorial for the domes especially as Ron will almost certainly be looking at charging for the use of the Domes. No doubt there will have to be some sort of mutual agreement with the Council.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

There is obviously a demand for another cinema complex, or two, in Southend as an additional one was in the plans for Seaway.
Yes, we have an Odeon in the town but it is in a monopoly situation, the Odeon chain are expensive compared to others and tend to not show some of the more niche films. Odeon Southend is fine if you want to watch the big market films but for anything a little out of the ordinary I find I have to travel to Basildon, Lakeside or even further afield, so I believe there is a market there. Cineworld would not have been considering Seaway if it didn't make the business case, they are certainly not a charity.

Yep, no problem with 2 cinema's, especially as Odeon take the p with price of tickets, food and drink. But 3?

 

[Blue94]

Some are missing the point that the cinema chain is the same for both developments, which realistically they will not do. They will pick one development or the other. Hence the council will then have to find another chain for Seaway which would be very difficult. Also its the wrong place for a cinema out on the edge of town, plus I don't think the town can sustain three cinemas, two maybe tops.

 

[David Icke]

Ron's Movieworld should be free parking which isn't the case with the Odeon or the seafront. So I'm with Ron on this. Definitely a market there to be exploited and Ron's Movieworld would naturally attract all the usual restaurant outlets. Good strategy Ron (can't believe I've said that). Many people don't want to drive into central Southend. Fossetts on the other hand would be just the ticket. I'm in.

 

[RHB]

Yep, no problem with 2 cinema's, especially as Odeon take the p with price of tickets, food and drink. But 3?

At one time, many decades ago, Southend had at least 4 cinemas in the town centre. I actually don't three, spread out, is too much of an issue. A cinema in the Fossetts area would be welcome by the immediate indigenous population, especially if it was easier to park there than for the odeon. And just think, if the game was boring you could always pop off and catch an afternoon performance.

Don't agree that the same chain would have to choose on sites, if they think the footfall is there they would go for both.

 

[THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK]

At one time, many decades ago, Southend had at least 4 cinemas in the town centre. I actually don't three, spread out, is too much of an issue. A cinema in the Fossetts area would be welcome by the immediate indigenous population, especially if it was easier to park there than for the odeon. And just think, if the game was boring you could always pop off and catch an afternoon performance.

Don't agree that the same chain would have to choose on sites, if they think the footfall is there they would go for both.

Yes, and it didn't work with 4, 3, or 2, that's why they closed. People could hire a video, or watch movies on a movie channel. I think 2 would work now because of the extortionate prices they charge for food and drink, so it's a much higher profit margin these days.

 

[Cockle43]

Nobody noticed that Ron has obviously sneakily agreed some sort of deal with Cecil Jones for the land next to the training ground...ideal area for a dome perhaps...It will have to be as that land has to be used for sporting activity only.

http://publicedrms.southend.gov.uk/...bj.pdf?DocNo=5674441&PDF=true&content=obj.pdf

with respect, I did mention cecil jones. but a certain poster, can't remember who, shot me down as he knew best.

The plan, as shown in the link above, does not include any of the Jones Memorial Ground. The Jones Memorial Ground is 6.3 hectares (15.5 acres) of ground bounded to the south by Eastern Avenue, to the west by Sutton Road, to the east by the boundary with Boots and Laces and to the north by the hedge line which extends due east in line with the southern boundary of Southend Fire Station.
Whatever the ground to the north of this and behind the eastern boundary of the Fire Station and Crematorium, etc., is, it is not part of the Jones Memorial Ground as gifted to the town by RA Jones in 1913 as a memorial to his late wife.

 

[londonblue]

At one time, many decades ago, Southend had at least 4 cinemas in the town centre. I actually don't three, spread out, is too much of an issue. A cinema in the Fossetts area would be welcome by the immediate indigenous population, especially if it was easier to park there than for the odeon. And just think, if the game was boring you could always pop off and catch an afternoon performance.

Don't agree that the same chain would have to choose on sites, if they think the footfall is there they would go for both.

Yeah, we don't want any immigrants from East London going to our cinemas, taking up all the seats.

 

[londonblue]

Yes, and it didn't work with 4, 3, or 2, that's why they closed. People could hire a video, or watch movies on a movie channel. I think 2 would work now because of the extortionate prices they charge for food and drink, so it's a much higher profit margin these days.

They closed because they didn't modernise, and people went to Basildon and even Lakeside to go to the cinema. Me included. When nice new ones opened up I was happy to go, regardless of how long the drive was.

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

The plan, as shown in the link above, does not include any of the Jones Memorial Ground. The Jones Memorial Ground is 6.3 hectares (15.5 acres) of ground bounded to the south by Eastern Avenue, to the west by Sutton Road, to the east by the boundary with Boots and Laces and to the north by the hedge line which extends due east in line with the southern boundary of Southend Fire Station.
Whatever the ground to the north of this and behind the eastern boundary of the Fire Station and Crematorium, etc., is, it is not part of the Jones Memorial Ground as gifted to the town by RA Jones in 1913 as a memorial to his late wife.

Its a strange piece of land I can remember a couple of rugby pitches being on there in the past and Southend United do already use the land as training ground for youth teams. It may not be part of the official Jones Memorial land but is still almost certainly owned by Southend Council. I can still see opposition to the Domes going there even if it is not officially Jones Memorial land.

 

[Firestorm]

It seems to be a bit nearer the Crem and the garden of remembrance than the first application, which may raise some objections.
Am I correct in thinking that it uses different lots of land to the original plan, which I thought went further east .

What is gong to be put on that strip of land between Fossetts Way and Smithers Chase ?? Or is that just the application to Southend and that's the borough boundary ?

 

[Cricko]

They closed because they didn't modernise, and people went to Basildon and even Lakeside to go to the cinema. Me included. When nice new ones opened up I was happy to go, regardless of how long the drive was.

I think they closed because most only had one or maybe 2 screens showing films with huge seating areas so there was not that much choice for filmgoers. The likes of the Odeon etc have multiple screens and much smaller seating areas to cater for all so get a much larger footfall. I can't see how 3 similar venues would work in this town..A bit like when RM wanted the casino but was huffed by Park Inn over the allowance allowed in the town and what would actually be viable for all to survive.

The Council already have Cineworld in their sites for the seaway car park and I thought, or maybe I imagined it there was already a deal in place for that area. They will be looking into it in great detail to make sure that Cineworld are indeed going to support both areas of the town.

They will still have some doubts tough A: That by joining RM in Ronworld it would scupper their own plans and B: Can the town sustain 3 multi-complex's anyway. Depending on the answers to above they may well think twice about his proposals and amendments.

Finally if they have no written agreement with Cineworld in place and they allow RM first shot at it ..where would that leave them if the company suddenly turn around and advise the council their deal is now off as they were happy for RM to have it.

Edit: Basildon which has a much larger catchment area than us,seems to only have one multi-screen complex these days?

 

[OldBlueLady]

Edit: Basildon which has a much larger catchment area than us,seems to only have one multi -screen complex these days?

And is much nicer than the Odeon in Southend, seats are more comfortable with better leg room for starters.

Oh, and for those who haven't seen it (and I have posted it on another thread already), this is the Echo piece today: