LONGFORD CINEMA - THE LATEST WORD!

I would just like to say that I have known the cur...

2009-05-02T22:11:00.000Z

I would just like to say that I have known the current owner since I was thirteen, I am now thirty eight, and he is categorically not the sort to let beautiful building like this crumble until it is replaced. I know he has a particular love for Art Deco and his main ambition is to preserve this building for the people. If he has any fault, it is that he sees this building with a certain romanticism and wont put it to use for something just because it will make money. I know he wants its use to reflect its history as a center of the community and even the arts.
If you have any serious ideas for its future use, and the money to back it, contact the owner, and outline your plans, I know he would be interested to hear them.

(Ed) And I would agree with the owner entirely, this shouldn't be a money spinner for the sake of it (I think it would be tought to make the building profitable anyway) and it's good that everyone has been learning more recently about his good intentions. I think the communication issue has been the sticking point of late. The owner cannot be contacted via this website but many people have posted ideas here and should continue to do so.

Agree that aggressive/intimdating behaviour is tot...

2009-03-19T15:17:00.000Z

Agree that aggressive/intimdating behaviour is totally unacceptable.
The owner should never been subjected to this kind of behaviour.

Progress should be made through persuasion or if necessary legal enforcement. If nothing changes Trafford Council COULD do something about it if it really wanted to:-

"However, in the case of listed buildings, where it appears to the Local Authority that the building is not being properly maintained, it can serve a notice (a Building Repairs Notice) on the owner requiring necessary works to be undertaken within a specific time. Failure to comply with such a notice could lead to the Council compulsorily purchasing the property. If it appears that the property is being deliberately neglected, the Council can apply to acquire the property at minimal compensation to the owner. If the property is
unoccupied, the Council can undertake the works to protect the building itself and then recover the costs from the owner".(Source: Listed buildings Supplementary Planning Guidance)

We grew up with the Essoldo starting with the Sat...

2009-01-11T20:52:00.000Z

We grew up with the Essoldo starting with the Saturday Matinee through
to our courting days and the double seats on the back row. Unfortunatley
our children never had that fantastic pleasure, although we managed to
take them as babes and tots to the Odeon in sale. We pass the Essoldo
every day and wish that it could at least be brought back to some degree
of dignity.As it stands to day it just signifies the shortsightedness of
Trafford MBC in not making it a sight to behold. We enjoyed watching
your site and its links and will certainly keep watching for any news.
Larraine.

Thank you for all the updates, even though we are ...

2008-04-20T11:48:00.000Z

Thank you for all the updates, even though we are so far away we are so pleased to be kept in the loop of what is going on with the Longford. My Mom, Betty Badham had told us so many stories from her days working their and I really hope the owners carry through and do make the building a viable part of the community again.

I still have some doubts as to whether this will h...

2008-04-06T11:06:00.000Z

I still have some doubts as to whether this will happen. From what I know of planning rules there is usually a 3 year time limit on any plans that are granted. This would mean that the plans spoken of are 2 years out of date and therefore would need to be resubmitted. There is no guarantee that they would be approved again either i guess!

All I would ask is that whoever owns it hires some sandblasters pretty urgently to remove the hideous paint job that currently makes this stunning building look like a blot on the landscape!

Hey,when it appears could you give us a link or so...

2008-03-27T20:11:00.000Z

Hey,when it appears could you give us a link or something.
I dont get the newspaper so would be glady appreciated.