Join in the BBC Project Gaumont discussion

Have your say about Project Gaumont by joining in the ongoing discussion on the BBC Somerset website. Click here for the BBC Somerset website.

News Release:

At a meeting of the Taunton Deane Community Strategy Committee meeting on Tuesday evening, it was decided unanimously that the council should have a formal policy for the future of Taunton’s Mecca Bingo building as a Centre for Entertainment within the town centre redevelopment plans. That decision was made following advice from The Theatres Trust and The Cinema Theatre Association who sent representatives to the meeting.

The precise policy has yet to be decided, but it is expected to provide long term protection for the present bingo club, and it will also to make provision for additional attractions within the same building. These might include a Tier 1 theatre, an Arts and Crafts gallery, a youth club, a cinema club, restaurants, bars, and a grand hall suitable for conferences, receptions, and available for hire for other events.

A policy for a building is a public declaration of intent by the council. They are effectively saying “We would like a theatre in this town and we will encourage any company who has the expertise and resources to carry out and operate such a project” While there were many questions on the details of how the project might be delivered, there was strong support for the principle and no voices were raised against it.

Project Gaumont’s presentation also included the possibility of a covered outdoor arena which would be the largest in the West Country with capacity up to 5,000 people. That is sufficient to attract major international stars of the status of Elton John, who has already performed in a sell-out concert in Taunton. The meeting came to no firm conclusion in regard to the proposed arena, but the council own the land, and they might expect income from hiring out the arena could be in the region of £100,000 to £,000,000 per annum.

Project Gaumont are delighted with the outcome of the meeting. They have been working for two years to develop a protection strategy for the Mecca Bingo building, and Tuesday’s decision goes a long way to delivering the protection which they have sought. We now have to await the decision of the Executive, but after a second unanimous Strategy Committee recommendation, the group are very hopeful that a suitable policy will be implemented.

Project Gaumont Objectives:

Project Gaumont believe that the old Gaumont building, which currently houses Mecca Bingo in Corporation Street, is large enough to house a number of attractions in addition to the existing bingo club. These could include:

  • A Tier 1 theatre which could offer opera, ballet, and musicals to full West End standards,
  • A youth club with full recording facilities,
  • A grand ballroom,
  • A small casino, and
  • An Arts and Crafts gallery.

The project also envisages that the present Castle Public Car Park could be re-laid to accommodate a covered outside arena with a variety of uses. These could include:

  • Popular productions including X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Strictly Come dancing,
  • Appearances by major international stars including Madonna, Barry Manilow, Susan Boyle, Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Katherine Jenkins and Bon Jovi,
  • Major performances from companies such as Glyndebourne Opera, English National Ballet, Cirque de Soleil,
  • A covered area for town markets,
  • Continued use as a car park when not otherwise used, and could include, a feature fountain, gardens, a picnic area, rest areas, and a busking area.

The Project Gaumont concept could bring 150 new jobs to Taunton, would provide the best standard of entertainment in any provincial town in the country, would be a major attraction for tourists and companies seeking to relocate out of city centre areas.

If you support these objectives, please add your name to the the petition at the top right of this page.

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