CORBY | Projects & Construction

[MK Tom]

I worked at Zavvi when that went under. Sad times. One store that is doing well and expanding at the moment though is CEX. They opened one in Aylesbury a little while ago, so I can see you getting one in Corby (and Kettering) before long. They won't open one in MK because of the cost of the rent!

[dinp]

The only thing I don't like about CEX is the bright red colour they paint some of their buildings - it can look really awful in some cases.

Not sure where they'd fit in Corby, other than next to the multi storey car park. Clinton Cards are apparently moving from Corporation Street to Willow Place (next to JD Sports). With them and Officers Club leaving, Corporation Street is starting to look a bit sorry for itself. I think they need to start combining units to make them larger, as a lot of them are too thin to be much use.

[Rikmeister]

Another big name doing well and expanding is John Lewis/Waitrose..

Who would like to see John Lewis open a department store in the old Westgate building.? Possibly between a large Tesco's and Cinema.

All of a sudden Elizabeth Street would be complete.! Once the old T.A centre becomes a NCP.

RIK

[Scott Cooper]

Is officers club moving or closing alltogether?

Also will the LS Cinema be the same oval design if they end up building it? And last question, who decides if it is the council or LS land that the cinema goes on?

[Rikmeister]

Originally Posted by Scott Cooper

Is officers club moving or closing alltogether?

Also will the LS Cinema be the same oval design if they end up building it? And last question, who decides if it is the council or LS land that the cinema goes on?

Officers Club closing altogether.

The Land Securities cinema will be designed completely differently.
It has to be to fit where Deene House is. Different company, different architects with different design. Maybe even on two levels.

I have a bad feeling it will be the most money thrown at the council that desides. But ultimately it will be the Councils decision. They have the power to allow or refuse the planning application.

RIK

[robbierunciman]

Originally Posted by Rikmeister

My inside info was correct.... C it was.......

Only 700 votes i total though...

RIK

I always say that those who choose not vote, vote for the winner. A few years ago, I ran a consultation on a programme spending billions which we publicised and only got around 70 responses. People blog and moan but do not participate in democracy when given the chance.

[CallumK]

When are Corby moving into their new stadium?

RIP Peter Mallinger. Done so much for Corby Town.

[Rikmeister]

Originally Posted by CallumK

When are Corby moving into their new stadium?

RIP Peter Mallinger. Done so much for Corby Town.

I imagine the first game will be a friendly against a bigger club.

It will no doubt be after this season as i don't think the grass will be any stronger over the winter months. When it starts growing again and cut in the spring it will be used.

Thats what i think anyway.

RIK

[ritchie69]

Odeon have been named as the cinema that is in talks with Mullberry Properties, to come to Corby. Looking to submit a planning application in March. :-)

[Rikmeister]

http://www.northantset.co.uk/lifesty..._bid_1_2310261

Odeon in talks with the councils proposals.

But who is in talks and connected with the Land Securities/Tesco's proposal.?

Really want them to hold a exhibition so that we as a town can make a final decision on the best plan.

Does seem though that the CBC are going for the best plan for the town and not just going for the money.

Could we actually have the best council in the country.??

RIK

[redTom]

Good news that the cinema deal seems to be moving along quickly even if we don't know where it is going to be yet.
I'm not sure if odeon having a monopoly in the area is good news for punters though- it would be better to have something with a different offering to kettering in terms of price, service and the films on show. didn't get a chance to visit the exhibition though - anything interesting on show?

Does anyone know if the council has got anyone to take on the cafe and restaurant in the cube yet?

Also, did anybody else spot the snippet in the et the other day saying that there was someone interested in taking on the whole of grosvenor house- wonder what they have in mind for it?

[Rikmeister]

I went to the exhibition today and took some photo's and a snipet of video of their video...

I did raise the question about another odeon in the area. They don't see it as a problem.

I also have some interesting info that is being talked about. ( unofficially )

I will post all of this tomorrow.....

RIK

[Rikmeister]

Couldn't wait so here goes...

First some info then a video then photo's......

The exhibition revolved around Option 'A'
Even though more of the 700 voted for Option 'C' i get the impression it will end up being option 'A' or 'B' we end up with. I think the Oval design is not an effective shape to fit everything in.

It will be an Odeon.
Ketterings Odeon seating ranges from 116 - 339
Corbys with this plan will range from 107 - 169
So basically our largest screen will be like their medium screen.

Phase 1 is the cinema and 2 resaurants.
Phase 2 is apartments and 2 large units for leisure usage.

Now here is the interesting info i spoke of earlier.
( bare in mind this is an idea they are looking at and not certain )

One of the 2 units in phase 2 will be a Bingo hall.
This means the bingo hall at the bottom of George Street will move.
And guess what is still under the bingo hall floor.????
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
Bowling lanes.!
It is very possible that the old Bowling alley on George street might be brought back to life...

Now the short video...
http://www.retroshak.plus.com/Cinema/Movie.MPG

And the pictures.....

















Come on Land Securities....Get your plans out before it's too late.!

RIK

[macnorthants]

I noticed the snippet about the old Grosvenor house Hotel, maybe Martines is returning lol!!!

Also there plans to change Oxfam, cabbies, phone shop, Kebab shop, furniture shop and upstairs in Corby Radios old studios in restaurants https://planningdox.corby.gov.uk/WAM...r=11/00014/COU

[macnorthants]

Found on et site were the grovenor hotel was mentioned, and irony it's the one person whom slatted Corby for it's shiney buildings, our mp!!!! Now she wants in it.
http://www.northantset.co.uk:80/news...cube_1_2304563

[redTom]

good work rik, and liking the bowling alley rumour you've started there! i'm not a regular cinema visitor, but how full do the screens get at kettering these days?

Good to see that all of the public sector investment is leading to private land owners to up their game with these latest plans.

Who currently owns the bingo hall and neville house?

[fmolloy]

Hi all -

I don't know if I'm supposed to share this but I have a friend who is a Managing Director of Mecca Bingo in Manchester who mentioned that Buckingham Bingo is failing and Mecca are interested in buying out the Corby plot....I don't know if this means the existing building or whether they could possibly move into Phase 2 of the old Tresham site?

Going on from what Macnorthants mentioned about the restaurant in the furniture shop opposite McDonalds. Hasn't there been a rumour for a while now that Whetherspoons were going to take on this site?

Is there anything going on with the Westgate building too?! Now that the leisure quater is being focused on George Street - what could occupy Westgate?

I'm just gagging for it all to be finished with to be honest.....!

[dinp]

The furniture shop opposite McDonalds had permission some years ago to become a Wetherspoons but they never did anything with it. I wonder though if they would want a second premises in Corby now that they have the one up by Rockafellas.

But equally they'd be daft not to show an interest in something along George Street or the Westgate building if this leisure development kicks off, as a Wetherspoons will attract punters wherever it is. Westgate still has permission for a pub/nightclub and shops so its a pretty flexible building.

All in all though, it looks like happy days (at long bloody last) for the town centre as a leisure destination, and it will finally kick-start the evening economy. This should be to the benefit of places like Cafe Con Leche, which actually need some competition in the evenings, and more leisure/drinking/eating places will bring more people to the town.

Not sure how well/badly the Corby bingo hall is doing financially, but it is always busy in the evenings so that might be a good investment for Mecca.

[macnorthants]

Been looking at both plans and one thing that stood out the most for me is parking.

There is nothing close to cinema plans for deene house! The nearest being the carpark outside home bargains which is really a bit a walk if you had 3 screaming kids and worse if that car parks full where would you park then!! Specially on a Saturday afternoon when shoppers full the carparks. At least the George street plans the car park is right next to the building, just like most other cinemas, except Leicester city.

With a comment to what dinp wrote about giving con leche competition if other evening/night time venue opened in it's area.

This would be the best thing that could happen. As everyone knows the biggest problem going out in Corby if the taxi ride between pubs!!!

[Rikmeister]

Hi Mac.

In the original Evolution Corby plans Phase 2 included the T.A centre being knocked down and an NCP being built there.

It isn't out of the question that this still could happen which would put a big car park next to the Deene house Cinema.

I reckon Land Securities have missed the boat though.

They have not released any proper plans or proposals yet and i think CBC is going to make a decision soon.

I can't see the Cinema being anywhere other than at the current Tresham site.

And i think Land Securities know it. Hence the lack of any further news from them.

Hope im wrong, would have liked to see what they were going to offer.

RIK