New look for old cinema is 'cheerful', not garish (From Gazette)
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New look for old cinema is 'cheerful', not garish
3:00pm Thursday 6th August 2009 in News By Lauren Oldershaw
‘Trying to make the town a better place’ - Karen Elsom and her salon’s customers have put together a petition against the paint job at the former Savoy cinema
THE new owners of a former cinema have defended its bright “Las Vegas” makeover.
A couple, who are opening a cafe and play centre in the former Savoy cinema, in Halstead, have said they were going for a “cheerful” look.
But angry residents have started a petition calling for it to be toned down.
At least 65 customers of Karen Elsom’s hairdressers, Just For Men and Little Masters, have signed a petition condemning the paintwork.
Karen, whose salon is a couple of doors down from the old cinema, in Trinity Street, said: “Everyone feels it’s two fingers being put up to Halstead, especially when we’re trying to make it a better place to live and work in.
“Halstead Town Council has quite a tight regime on the type of signs you can have.
“We aren’t allowed fluorescent signs because it will make it look like Las Vegas, but the Savoy’s paintwork looks like Las Vegas.”
Richard Newman, 37, who along with wife Nicola, hoped to open a children’s play centre there in October, said: “We didn’t think anyone would get upset about it. The idea was for it to look bright and cheerful for the children.”
