Glorious future for High Rd icon (Kilburn Times)

Plans to transform an iconic building have won universal approval.

The Gaumont State in Kilburn High Road could be brought back to its former glory after architects' plans for its renovation were unveiled last week by its owners.

Subject to planning approval which will see a change of use from an entertainment venue to a place of worship, Ruach Ministries will strip away the State's bingo hall paraphernalia to reveal the building's original splendour.

The disused cinema will also have its seats pulled out to transform it into a new community centre for Kilburn.

Oliver Curry, who set up Save the Gaumont State to campaign against it being redeveloped, said: "The plans for The State look great - especially the commitment to return the building to how it was in the 1930s. I just hope that the church has the resources to see it through."

The project, which will take ten years to complete, has also been universally backed by Kilburn's politicians.

Cllr Janet Grauberg, (Lib Dem) Kilburn ward, said: "I'd never been inside the building before and I was bowled over by the size of it, and the beautiful original features. It was great to hear that the church are going to restore the building to its former glory and preserve its historic character, as well as provide community services such as a café and youth nights. No doubt there'll be issues along the way for local residents but I'm really pleased to see people prepared to invest so much money, care and attention in Kilburn." Dawn Butler, MP for Brent South, said: "The Gaumont State building has been an important architectural and cultural landmark in Kilburn for almost 70 years.

"This project will renew the legacy of this building and bring it back to the heart of the community in Brent."

When it opened in 1937 the State was the biggest auditorium in Europe and has played host to bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Deep Purple.

It also boasts one of the largest fully functioning Wurlitzer organs in Britain.

For 20 years the building was run as a bingo hall by Mecca, who put it up for sale in August 2007.

Written by Will Davies, Kilburn Times

Public Consultation

Rauch Ministries are holding a public consultation about their plans for the Kilburn State, on Friday May 8th 2009, from 3pm-8.30pm.

Come along and make your voices heard!

Wait for Gaumont State plans

Kilburn Times: The new owners of a historic music venue who are hoping to turn the site into a church have yet to apply for planning permission for change of use. The Ruach Inspirational Church of God, from Brixton, bought the Gaumont State Cinema, on Kilburn High Road, last December. The church said it wants to refurbish the building and bring it back to its former glory before re-opening it in June. But a spokeswoman from Brent Council said the new owners have yet to file an application for change of use. A spokeswoman for Ruach Ministries said: "We have not applied for planning permission as yet but will be doing so in the not too distant future." The 1937 Grade II listed building was home to Mecca Bingo until August 19, 2007, when it was closed down and put up for sale. Ruach Ministries have plans to incorporate a community centre in the building, open for everyone to use, but have yet to outline any further details.

Original article

The view from Camden

From the minutes of Camden Council:

QUESTION TO: KEITH MOFFITT, LEADER OF THE COUNCIL
BY: COUNCILLOR JAMES KING

Will the Leader of the Council approach the new owners of the Kilburn State Cinema on Kilburn High Road to discuss ways to satisfy the demand of Kilburn residents for community use of the building?

REPLY:
This iconic building, which is located on the Brent side of Kilburn High Road, was bought by Ruach Ministries just before Christmas. The new owners are proposing a change of use class from D2 (Bingo Hall/Cinema/Concert/Dance Hall) to D1 (Non-residential Institution). A planning application will be required for any works to the building as it is Grade II* listed. No application has been received to date and planning issues will be dealt with by Brent Council and guided by the policies of the Brent UDP. However, as a major development site on the border between Camden and Brent, Camden will have the opportunity to comment on any applications submitted.

In terms of any likely community benefits that might be able to be sought via this planning application, it is inevitably going to be a finely balanced assessment for Brent Planners. Weighed into the balance needs to be the fact that the new owners are likely to have to spend a significant amount of money bringing one of Kilburn’s most important buildings back to its former state whilst at the same time the access for the non-church going public may be restricted.

Suggested community uses include:
- permanent use of the derelict scenery dock in the car park for youth workshops and bike workshops
- continued use of the archway for plant/flower stall
- continued public use of the car park during the week
- public exhibition space in the foyer of the building
- access to the main hall 6 times a year to stage community events and/or live music concerts

I have discussed the new ownership with my colleagues in Brent and I intend to meet with the new owners as soon as possible to discuss such community uses.

Church sketches future of The State

From the minutes of January's Kilburn Partnership meeting:

"Paul Brightly-Jones, a Trustee of Ruach Ministries, expressed his pleasure to be at the meeting and to be part of the Kilburn community.

Paul couldn’t give detailed information as decisions about the building are still being made by his organisation. However he gave the following update:

• Ruach Ministries completed the sale from Mecca Bingo at the end of December 2007
  
• Paul explained that the church will focus on bringing back the ‘former glory’ of the building & introduce cutting edge facilities too.
  
• Detailed plans are still being worked up, eg for the car park, the former cinema etc.
  
• The church is keen to talk to local people and groups to find a way to work together. He reported that the church has worked well in the Brixton community and is popular there.
  
• Work on the building has already started and the church intends to open the building by Summer 08.
  
• Paul will extend an invitation to the church Prayer for the Nation at the end of January to all involved in the Kilburn community.

Car Park Update: The car park is closed to the public for the foreseeable future. Ruach Ministries are considering how to manage it appropriately. It is likely that neighbouring businesses will be able come to an agreement to continue using parking spaces. The car park was cleaned thoroughly during the first week of January 08 and litter and fly-tipping is being carefully monitored.

Wurlitzer Organ: Dave Neale, the Gaumont’s chief engineer and custodian, has been retained to ensure continued maintenance of the listed Wurlitzer organ and the interior. Ed Jarvis, Brent’s Conservation Planner visited the building on 15th January with a representative from English Heritage. Ed told Ruach representatives that they need to provide him with a schedule of all works before they start and in the first instance this will just include non-structural works.

Planning Update on the Gaumont State (supplied by Andy Bates, Brent Planning): The new owners are proposing a change of use class from D2 (Bingo Hall/Cinema/Concert/Dance Hall) to D1 (Non-residential Institution). A planning application will be required. A listed building application is needed for any works to the building. No application has been received to date.

In terms of any likely community benefits sought via this planning application, it is inevitably going to be a finely balanced assessment for Brent Planners. Weighed into the balance needs to be the fact that the new owners are likely to have to spend a significant amount of money bringing one of Kilburn’s most important buildings back to its former state, which is really important, whilst at the same time the access for the non-church going public might be restricted."

The key here is that, in return for getting planning approval, the church will have to offer services to the local community. So, local residents should think about what they would like the church to offer, and pass your thoughts on to your elected representatives at Brent and Camden Councils.

The State sold to Christian Group

The Rank Organisation have sold The Kilburn State to the Trustees of The Ruach Inspirational Church of God (Ruach Ministries Christian Centre, 122 Brixton Hill, London SW2 1RS). For a taste of what to expect, see: http://www.johnfrancis.org.uk/

This outcome is disappointing to those who hoped that The State would be put at the disposal of the entire community, and not only evangelical christians. However, it will be up to the rest of us to ensure that the new owners preserve the integrity of the building, and to encourage them to make the place available for open days, and make some of The State's rooms available for other community events.

Historical note: If any Kilburn residents are experiencing deja vu at this point, it is because we have been here before with The Kilburn National: "First known as the Kilburn National Ballroom, then later as the Kilburn National Club, the National, with its distinctive dome, has played host to hundreds of major rock bands, from The Smiths to Nirvana to Blur. There was even a short-lived music television programme broadcast live from the place in the 1980s. In 1999 it was closed down after long legal battles over noise levels, and was converted into an evangelical Church." (From the BBC.) You may also remember that the church was closed down in 2002 after a Charity Commission investigation into financial improprietry, and the pastor involved was subsequently convicted of sex attacks. (See Receivers sent in to church; Pastor convicted of sex attacks; and Wife of sex case pastor still living high life).

Candlelit Vigil for The State

There will be a candelit vigil to mark the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Kilburn State, from 7.30pm, on Thursday 20th December (outside the front entrance to The State, on Kilburn High Road).

The vigil -- part of the "Save the Kilburn State!" campaign -- will help to protect the iconic building from property developers and ensure that it is reopened for community use.

Come along to help raise the profile of the campaign, and to encourage more people to sign the ever-growing petition.