A recent news article on the BBC Somerset website – “Plans to ‘attract Madonna’ to Taunton” has sparked an interesting public debate. Please add your comments to the BBC webpage or here on the Project Gaumont website.
BBC Somerset – “Plans to ‘attract Madonna’ to Taunton”
Written by Project Gaumont on March 9th, 2010Campaigners turn up pressure in Taunton Gaumont bid
Written by Project Gaumont on November 8th, 2009The following article was published in the Somerset County Gazette on Monday 3rd August 2009.
Campaigners turn up pressure in Taunton Gaumont bid
A NEW group pressing for Taunton’s former Gaumont Theatre – now Mecca Bingo – to be turned into a multi-purpose entertainment venue is increasing its pressure on Taunton Deane Council.
Project Gaumont, led by retired salesman and theatre enthusiast Jim Laflin, says it has received a letter of support from the planning authority, Taunton Deane Council.
The group now wants the council to adopt a formal policy on the historic building, which once hosted concerts by groups like The Beatles, to ensure it would continue as an entertainment venue, should Rank ever chose to relocate.
Project Gaumont says it wants to work with building owner Rank, which successfully operates Mecca Bingo there.
The group proposes a £multi-million investment Click to continue »
Taunton Deane Council Supports New Entertainment Centre
Written by Project Gaumont on July 29th, 2009The following press release has recently been sent to the Somerset County Gazette.
Taunton Deane Council Supports New Entertainment Centre
The Project Gaumont group came one step nearer this week to their long term aim of seeing the old Gaumont cinema, now Mecca Bingo, re-opened as an entertainment centre in Taunton. The group has had the support of all party leaders on Taunton Deane Council for some time, but a letter from newly appointed Economic Development Portfolio holder Councillor Fran Smith has confirmed that the council now officially supports the group.
The long term objectives of the group are that the old Gaumont building should be turned into an Arts and Entertainment Centre with a 1,500 seat theatre, a covered outdoor Click to continue »
Taunton Deane refuse to hear presentation
Written by Project Gaumont on May 11th, 2009Since our success in gaining the unanimous support of the Taunton Deane Overview and Scrutiny Group, the executive of Taunton Deane council have refused to hear a presentation from the group formed to promote the case for the redevelopment of the Taunton Gaumont as a Centre for Arts and Entertainment.
We do not accept that the council has the right to refuse to hear petitions from the public. We believe that we have the support of the majority of ordinary Taunton Deane councillors, and our present thoughts are that this refusal has been led by senior council officers and supported by certain portfolio holders on the Taunton Deane executive. We are now trying to reverse this decision. We are working on a campaign to achieve this end, and your members can help us.
Many of your members will get visits Click to continue »