Graham, Tom and Ian

Your Lib Dem team for Cheadle West & Gatley Learn more

Tatton pothole progress

by Lib Dem team on 12 December, 2013

For some time we’ve been working to get the potholes around the former Tatton cinema repaired.  If they were on Council roads it would be simple and would have been done long ago, but the road in front of the Tatton is private and the road to the side is unadopted (as far as we can tell it isn’t owned by anyone).

The owners of the Tatton site are now working with the Council.  They’ve agreed to patch the potholes in front of the site, and the Council is working to get the potholes to the side sorted out.

Development news

We’re hoping that the owners of the Tatton will come forward with a new proposal for developing the Tatton site shortly.  They tell us that they want to, and need to make sure their proposals stack up and all the partners are on board.

We have spoken to a cinema expert who suggested something along the lines of the recently opened and very successful cinema The Rex Berkhampsted might be possible – though of course that would require someone with the money to buy the site and bring forward such a development, and we’ve yet to find such a person.

   10 Comments

10 Responses

  1. Mike Savage says:

    This cinema expert you’ve been talking to, did they say what century they were living in?

    They don’t seem to know that integral to any cinema is an auditorium, something the bulldozers removed at the Tatton years ago. They don’t seem to know that a stone’s throw away is the reason the Tatton died: an eleven screen multiplex at Didsbury. As long as that building is in existence any attempt to create another cinema on its doorstep is futile.

    A real cinema expert would know that the Rex in Berkhamsted is not a fair comparison. That particular building is intact, grade 2 listed and it mainly works because there isn’t another cinema for miles around.

    When you consider all that you don’t have an idea that “might be possible” but an idea that’s simply hopeless.

    Heaven knows we all want to see progress on this site, but I feel that won’t be possible as long as too many residents cling on to the dream of seeing a film there again. This has always been the heart of the problem and will never be part of the solution. Posting unhelpful and inaccurate advice from a ‘cinema expert’ will merely set these people off again and make finding a viable and sustainable solution to this utter mess even more difficult.

  2. Trevor McLean says:

    I for one would be delighted to see the Tatton restored as a cinema. It is true the back would need rebuilding, but it would not be impossible. If the roads around the cinema are unabopted how come they have double yellow lines? (Which do not seem to be enforced)

  3. Estelle Weiner says:

    Like Trevor, I want to know how an unadopted road has double yellow lines. Newlands Road leading from the Cenotaph to the Scout Hut in Abney Hall park has had its middle third resurfaced by SMBC. I have now been told the badly pot-holed entry third up to the Railway bridge is owned by Stockport Homes (no doubt from the adjacent Queens Gardens development). It also has a ‘no waiting sign’. Answers please.
    As for the cinema at the Tatton -forget it. With the internet, Sky Films etc and live broadcasts from theatres and concert halls direct to Didsbury and other local complexes it won’t be able to compete.
    As an arts complex (such as Sale Waterside, or the Cornerhouse in Manchester) it may have a chance.

  4. bruce thwaite says:

    If anyone opens up a cinema on that site I will plait sawdust. I am afraid this site will remain as it is for years to come – should have allowed the previous application for a supermarket.

    If only we had a time machine

  5. Robert Taggart says:

    TATTERS ! – the cinema idea from those assorted fantasists and the state of the building, road and wider environment around it.
    No need to send in the Clowns – they have no space in which to perform – send in the Bulldozers instead !

  6. jfgb says:

    Well, if its possible, I would also like to see it returned as a cinema too.

  7. David Johnson says:

    The assessment of a renewed Cinema by Estelle Weiner is realistic in the face of current watching habits. However there is a pressing social need in Gatley for a meeting place where local residents can meet and chat. The space is large enough for many activity groups to use and share the building and with rental income, car park fees plus snack/tea bars etc should not be too great a monetary burden. The call for yet another supermarket equates to the madness that allowed the ludicrous number of Quick Food joints and the unbelievable final NatWest building approval!

  8. bruce thwaite says:

    David

    If the application for a supermarket had have been allowed Tesco would not have opened in the old Red Lion building. The net result is that we still have a derelict eye sore and also a supermarket albeit 200 yards away. I blame the LibDems as they opposed it to a man.

  9. gatbrd says:

    First, congrats to Keith & team. I find these emails very helpful and informative.

    Some of the commenters, less so. More like jfgb would be good. And less like …. you know. Where does stuff like – assorted fantasists the Clowns no space in which to perform Bulldozers .. get us?

    The Tatton was a lovely place to go to see a film. If it reopened i would be there most weeks. I dont agree with EW – there IS demand for going out to the cinema. As you get on in years, as i am, you relish the chance to “go out”; cinema used to provide that. And after, perhaps a pint and discuss in the pub next door, or a meal along the road – i.e. spending our money in our local commumnity. Gatley could be a really great place if it could only get joined up.

  10. Robert Taggart says:

    gatbrd… ‘ “As you get on in years, as I am…” ‘ – hm – thought as much…
    Much like the Tatton – one guesses you will be going the same before long ?
    Rest my case !

Leave a Reply

You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>