Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on July 11, 2013 at 18:01

Emailing Ian Dowsett and The Guildhall maybe an option.  I suspect all the profit goes to the community club and non to us?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on July 31, 2013 at 11:00

I have been a member of our CC for nearly three years.  However, they really need to make much more of an effort to be more friendly to residents who visit there!

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Permalink Reply by Bev Bytheway on July 31, 2013 at 17:35

I think a lot of residents are dissatisfied with the community centre and its role on the Estate. If it is coming up for review, maybe we should try and put together a community bid and a business plan. Or at least try and feed some ideas back to the City as to how it might work. I am worried about the erosion of community facilities on the Estate. The Leisure Centre is now charging residents for the use of the old nursery building, which is crazy. But where to start? I know there have been lots of ideas - life-drawing classes, book clubs and reading groups, exhibitions, music and film nights, cafe, moms and toddler groups,annual pantomines so it would be good to put some ideas together if there's an opportunity to influence the process. I don't think it's a question of either... or, it is an important social space for an established group, but I do think it could be developed more actively for the wider benefit of Golden Lane Residents.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 1, 2013 at 15:47

On another community centre on an estate, the residents were balloted about what they wanted the centre to become. They overwhelmingly voted in favour of it NOT being a drinking den.   The idea of a café sounds brill to me!    The problem still remains that when you walk in our current C Centre, you feel like the "wild west gunslinger walking into the locals saloon"!!!  The friendly face of Brian, will be missed when he leaves for sure.

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Permalink Reply by JM on August 1, 2013 at 18:26

I don't use the CC so don't have a strong opinion as to it's use, but my worry about turning it into a cafe would be that the corporation sees an opportunity to turn this into another commercial, profit-making scheme by opening it up anyone and everyone and thereby eroding further the 'private' nature of our estate.  They have done this with the 'leisure centre'.  What used to be an amenity for residents has turned into a mammoth sports centre for anyone and everyone in the city and run on commercial lines.  In my view, call me old fashioned and all that, but I think the residents on this estate should get in for free - or at least a very nominal charge, not a monthly fee for a gym/club membership.

Let's face it, the City is probably the wealthiest local authority in the UK, swimming in a jacuzzi of cash (I paraphrase) from a financial centre that is still very, very healthy (in some cases propped up by our taxes).  They could easily afford to run a few things for the benefit of their tiny residential population - it would pale into insignificance compared to, say, the cost of the annual Lord Mayor's show - but chose not to.  They probably spend more on street furniture than the CC would cost to run.  Not everything has to be based on a commercial/profit footing.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 2, 2013 at 17:33

I think that a complete refurbishment would help a lot.  Even just decent lighting and seating would help.   I only occasionally use the CC maybe once a week, but hardly see any GL residents, just people from other estates.   IF it was a nice, friendly place to visit I would go there more often for sure.    Great to have a lively debate as well!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 2, 2013 at 17:58

p.s. Excellent idea from Christine to email Bill!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 2, 2013 at 18:00

I can`t remember for sure Christine, as I had stopped using that CC ages ago.   I believe it has now been turned into flats?
 
Christine Clifford said:

Was the vote successful Steve? Did it lead to changes that were successful & sustained?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 2, 2013 at 18:02

Hear....................hear!

Jean McMeakin said:

I don't use the CC so don't have a strong opinion as to it's use, but my worry about turning it into a cafe would be that the corporation sees an opportunity to turn this into another commercial, profit-making scheme by opening it up anyone and everyone and thereby eroding further the 'private' nature of our estate.  They have done this with the 'leisure centre'.  What used to be an amenity for residents has turned into a mammoth sports centre for anyone and everyone in the city and run on commercial lines.  In my view, call me old fashioned and all that, but I think the residents on this estate should get in for free - or at least a very nominal charge, not a monthly fee for a gym/club membership.

Let's face it, the City is probably the wealthiest local authority in the UK, swimming in a jacuzzi of cash (I paraphrase) from a financial centre that is still very, very healthy (in some cases propped up by our taxes).  They could easily afford to run a few things for the benefit of their tiny residential population - it would pale into insignificance compared to, say, the cost of the annual Lord Mayor's show - but chose not to.  They probably spend more on street furniture than the CC would cost to run.  Not everything has to be based on a commercial/profit footing.

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Permalink Reply by bill gilliam on August 2, 2013 at 23:33

At risk of stating the obvious, is it poss for the bar to be a child friendly space during the day and a bar for the regulards in the evenings. I believe it's not busy during the day. If it had some play equipment inside and out that could be put away for the evening session it may atteact young mums from the area. Stefi is right, coffee is big business with up to 200% profit per cup. Residents on the estate do spend money in local cafes and would, I think, buy coffee there if the proceeds went to the community facility rather than the big biz coffe chains.

The decore needs a face lift and i'll bet volunteers would help with that. Some art on the walls, some bright colours and move on from the Weatherspoons type pub furniture. I do realise there would be some health and safety stuff to deal with but the committe are very good at dealing with that.

As for noise on the estate, nobody gives a damn about the residents. Neither the Corpo or licensing police or environmental health. If you're a buisiness you do as you please if you are a resident on an estate then it's your problem for living in the city. I heard a while ago the Italia Conti are looking for new premises.....fingers crossed.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on August 3, 2013 at 15:20

Just emailed Bill C now with my suggestions.

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Permalink Reply by Bosques on August 4, 2013 at 21:31

Real shame that the local cadre of residents who use the bar regularly do not make people feel welcome, unfortunately I had a negative experience and never went back.

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