Page 6 - link magazine

6 The Link Magazine • November 2004
Mechanics' goes to public inquiry
Let us Cre'8
In the November 2003 Link central area councillor David Nash criticised Swindon Council's planning
a new u committee supported by its officer forgiving outline permission to a commercial developer to turn the derelict
Mechanics' Institute in the town centre into a hotel, luxury flats, offices and perhaps a casino - right in the
middle of a conservation area that could become part of a world heritage site. Over the last year the
Government has moved to take the decision out of Swindon's hands. Coun Nash comments.
1 In October, we saw two new events ested heritage groups opposed to the biggest stages anywhere from
, 1 O regarding the Mechanics'. the development. London to Bristol and the audito-
First, Swindon's Planning Com- The second was the decision by rium could accommodate tradi-
mittee decided to let the owners the Office of the Deputy Prime Min- tional theatre as well as cabaret-
1e have permission to develop the ister (ODPM) to call in the plans style acts. Imagine being able to
southern end of the building, the for the rest of the building — that enjoy live entertainment whilst
Reading Room in particular, as a glass monstrosity included. good food is served to your table.
Thames Avenue, Greenmeadow business centre, with some accom- Let's assume for a moment that 2. A young people's facility.
Call 520813 to book an modation above - despite repre- the plans are rejected by the Gov- There is a lot of complaint about
appointment sentations from me and fellow cen- ernment — what would we like to young people 'hanging around.'
tral area councillor Michael see happen with the building? The Mechanics' (or at least some of
Dickinson, plus a variety of inter- I have to confess that this is a its space) could provide a number
tricky issue. of youth projects to help give
On the one hand, I would love to younger residents a focus for their
The Fox & Hounds find a way to return the building to energies.
the sorts of activity that made it 3. Adult education. The original
High Street ,/, such an integral part of the growth Reading Room was used by rail-
_ of Swindon. On the other, the way workers to improve their
Haydon Wick owner has already invested a sig- minds. What better testimony to
nificant amount of cash into ur- our past than to equip the Reading
c. die Aevv 4 a uu'',` gent works and would expect to Room for the future as an IT learn-
#iea y .goo ec s make some money on the prop- ing zone for old and young alike.
0 erty, which means a commercial Throw in some refreshments and
activity of some sort, such as the you have the basis of an internet
Offering:
hotel. cafe too.
• Real Ales • Darts, cricket and
• Home cooked food football teams
made to order • Quiz every Tuesday
• Exceptional Sunday • Regular live
lunches entertainment
Newly refurbished bars

Party bookings now being taken:
Christmas, Christenings, Weddings,
Conferences
Individual menus catered for
I'&'A I Call Ellen Lee on 724749 for details
4I
I

on show The Link magazine's impression of the Forefront Estate's proposal for a 9 storey
hotel which involves demolishing the central fly-tower and also a good part of the
THE price is right . north end of the building, which is to be scrutinised at a planning inquiry
, f
THE parking is free I In an ideal world, and assuming Whenever I think of the Mechan-
DEPOSIT reserves that ownership, restoration capi- ics', I don't look at the building
and want to restore it in every
tal and ongoing revenue to main-
for Xmas tain the fabric of the building could detail - frankly some of it is not
, 4 AAA be sorted out, here are just a few of that pretty!
f the things I'd like to see the Me- However, I do believe that the
Parts, repairs, chanics' used for: spirit of our ancestors can live on
accessories, - 1. An alternative theatre venue. in the way that the building is used.
stock
back up stock There is no facility in Swindon to Now that's something worth re-
Open: Mon to Sat o offer out of the ordinary live enter- storing. And that won't happen if
tainment. we have a glass monstrosity
9am to 5.30pm The original theatre had one of erected as a hotel.
Closed Sundays
""DVE