Burgess Hill's Cinema Will Be Knocked Down

The Orion Cinema in Burgess Hill is not long for this world. Soon it will disappear (probably)

Since Cllr Gary Marsh broke the news that Mid Sussex District Council have been in talks with Sainsbury regarding the land at Cyprus Road Car Park, not a single councillor has come forward to calm the fears that the Burgess Hill residents could be about to lose one of its very few prized entertainment venues.

We have many newly elected councillors, you'd have thought they'd jump at the opportunity to prove their worth to the local community by vowing to do all they can to try and stop the cinema being knocked down. The Save the Orion Cinema Facebook Page has over 2,500 members, it wouldn't take much effort for a councillor to join up and post a message on the wall.

Why haven't they come forward? Perhaps its already a done deal and thus they don't want to come out in support of the people, knowing whatever they say will be in vein. Additionally, with the council being very blue, it would be unwise for fellow Conservatives to rock the boat by speaking against their own party.

The general consensus seems to be that Burgess Hill does not need another supermarket. So why are talks with Sainsbury taking place? How is it in the public interest? We elect councillors to serve us, to speak up for us. Seemingly this is not happening.

Worryingly, some people on Facebook seem to think that the Orion can just refuse to sell. If only it were that simple!

Since MSDC own the land, they could make a very attractive financial offer for the Orion to give up their lease, and as we know, money does talk. If the Orion do refuse, then MSDC can probably envoke some sort of compulsary purchase order. A number of Facebook group members have shared their observations that the Cinema is quite empty during their visits, others have pointed out that they've not visited the venue in years. Its these comments that make it seem that a financial payoff could be happily accepted. That is unless Mr Orion Cinema is very rich.

What grates the most is how Cllr Gary Marsh from Balcombe is involved in talks regarding the future of Burgess Hill. What should he care if the cinema disappears? He doesn't live in the town.
When the issues are town specific, it should be the town councils that have the final ruling, and NOT MSDC.

All in all, its a confusing time for local residents, the lack of news isn't helping. Cllr Marsh drops a bombshell, yet no follow-up to explain the state of play, and silence from the councillors that should be fighting our corner.

Maybe there is nothing to worry about at all. I doubt it.

Get your Nectar cards ready.

Bulldozers are the solution for the Martlets

Councillor Gary Marsh and NewRiver Retail have once again appeared in the Mid Sussex Times this week. Everyone in Burgess Hill should be jumping for joy, as the Martlets will have money spent on it. In fact, thats a promise. wooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Reality Check
What we all need right now is a nice dose of reality, and I'm here to deliver it. NewRiver Retail should spend their money on some bulldozers, as it is the ONLY way that it can improve the shopping experience for the town's residents.

Is anyone else sick of the faux positive spin that is being put on the future of the town centre by the council and the new owners?

Unless some bulldozers come in and reduce the town centre to a pile of rubble and start again with a blank canvas, then I can assure you that any money thrown at the town centre to improve upon its current state will be a total waste.

The current layout just does not work. The town centre is crying out for some big name retailers, however, companies like 'Next', 'HMV', 'BHS' will not be able to set up shop in town when there is a chronic lack of space for larger retail units and the warehouses required for them to operate.

Tough economic climate to blame?
It's regularly reported that local traders are struggling due to the 'tough current economic climate' In Burgess Hill I don't think that this is the case at all. There are many homeowners in Burgess Hill. Those with mortgages are currently enjoying record low interest rates. I believe families have just as much money as usual to spend, but choose not to spend it in the pathetic town centre that serves Burgess Hill.

If you need food you go to Tesco, if you need anything else you turn to Crawley, Brighton or the internet.

The Solution
Personally, I'd knock down the MarketPlace shopping 'mall' and construct a proper two storey shopping centre to house all of the smaller retailers.

The landowners should then flatten the row of charity shops and flats in Church Walk along with New York Nails, Stems, the Man Shop. These businesses should be moved to the new shopping centre and use the space vacated to install three large retail units for some of the big name companies in the retail sector.

This blog post has just saved the council and NewRiver Retail hundreds of thousands of pounds in consultation fees.
I have single-handedly come up with the solution for the town centre.

You are all very much welcome!