I was fascinated by the Gazette article (January 10) regarding the current situation with the former Odeon cinema, in Crouch Street, Colchester.

You seem to be representing the views of some shopkeepers in Crouch Street that the residents of the area should just roll over and let what would be one of the biggest nightclubs in East Anglia be granted planning permission because the site “looks tacky and messy”.

The opposition to the establishment of a huge nightclub in this quarter of the town was well founded on planning grounds and the decision to refuse permission was upheld in February 2008 by the planning inspectorate.

The owner is clearly responsible for anything that happens on the site and it is his responsibility to ensure that it is safe.

If the owner was really being a good neighbour, then I would have thought as a businessman he would realise the possible effect a tatty exterior would have on other businesses and do something about it.

I am fairly sure local residents can put up with the current situation as long as the alternative is a gigantic nightclub on their doorstep, with the attendant noise and disturbance that would bring to a relatively quiet area.

I just wonder whether those people calling for the council to give in and accept this monstrosity will actually be living within earshot at 3 o’clock in the morning when things are in full swing.

Bill Frame
Castle Ward Councillor
St Albans Road
Colchester

...With regards the old Odeon cinema, it really comes as no surprise the council and the owner, Mr Peri, feel they’re both not to blame for the current state of the building.

It seems to be the way of the world when problems arise.

Frankly, they’re both to blame, otherwise we wouldn’t have the eyesore that we now have.

It hardly makes Colchester seem a pleasant place to visit, if you happen to park that side of town when visiting.

It makes me sad every time I walk past it. I spent many happy years as a patron of the Odeon, to the point of producing a DVD of my own memories.

The new Odeon has none of the character that the Crouch Street cinema had, and now just look at the place!

Both Mr Peri and the council should sit down over a nice brew and have a chat, and perhaps with the savings I calculated (from a previous letter you were kind enough to print) they could get some paint and at least tart the poor old place up.

Jason Spurgeon
Grays Close
West Mersea

...If, as has been suggested, there are vagrants living in the old Odeon, the council could use planning law to require the owner to apply for change of use to residential, if it was brave enough.

The council is ready enough to make ordinary people comply with the law.

Barney Russell
St Johns
Colchester