New proposal could save the State Cinema

A PROPOSAL by Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation to restore and adapt the State Cinema in Grays has been welcomed by a campaign leader.

The endangered landmark could be saved by the TTGDC’s North Grays Design Brief Preferred Option, which is currently out to public consultation.

The Design Brief, which further develops the Grays Town Centre Master Plan approved by the Corporation Board in May, lists restoring and adapting the State Cinema for leisure as one of its objectives.

Save The State campaign leader Joe Gardner welcomed the plans, but expressed concern that the structure of the Grade II listed building could be altered.

He said:” I am very pleased to see that the State Cinema building is to be included in the plans for North Grays, however, I hope that final plans will not include altering the existing structure.

“The State is one of only a handful of "super cinemas" worldwide that has remained unaltered and retains its original features and full seating capacity.

“Any reduction in the size of the auditorium or removal of art deco features for accommodation or shops would be an absolute travesty and would be something the State campaigners will strongly oppose.”

The North Grays Design Brief also proposes a new public square at the heart of Grays, new buildings with shops, cafes and homes, and the reconfiguration of the Morrisons car park.

It also proposes to use the Titan Works Quarry for new homes and a primary school and to build a New Generation Community Hospital next to it.

Save the State Campaigners have been calling for Thurrock Council and the TTGDC to intervene and take the State Cinema, which is becoming more and more derelict, into public ownership since 2007.

They now have well over 5,000 signatures from residents backing their cause and a Facebook group with 1,407 members.

An exhibition on the Design Brief will be held at the Thameside Centre on Orsett Road in Grays from Monday December 1 to Saturday December 6.

It will be available to view during this period from 10am to 5pm everyday and will stay open until 7pm on Thursday December 4.

The consultation period for the Design Brief ends on January 12 2009.

To view the exhibition material online visit www.thurrocktgdc.org.uk.