Fears over Savoy cinema future after cars are towed away
BOSSES of Nottingham's longest-serving cinema say its future could be in "serious jeopardy" if a row over car parking isn't resolved.
The Savoy Cinema has called for Nottingham City Council to improve parking in Lenton after customers had their cars towed away while at the cinema on Saturday.
-
Appeal to film fans: From left, Mark Wellberry, James Collington and Donna Hazzledine, from the Savoy cinema.
It wants customers to back its plea, saying the future of the cinema in Derby Road could be at risk if nothing is done.
James Collington, managing director of Savoy Cinemas Ltd, said: "Up until now we've managed to find space for around 30 cars. Bit by bit all the parking is being taken away."
visit us at www.meetthelenders.co.uk/blogs to Save 30% off your loan fees with Quick Quid, Read our article for instructions
Contact: 0115 8962299
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The Post reported yesterday how cinema-goers who parked their cars in Park Street, behind the cinema, on Saturday were either fined or had their cars towed away.
It happened after the city council put up 'no loading' signs and temporary parking restrictions in the street due to work to demolish the nearby Lenton Flats.
Six customers' vehicles were towed away, including one belonging to a disabled man in a wheelchair.
A further ten people were issued with fines.
The cinema yesterday showed the Post CCTV footage of the moment customers had their vehicles towed at around 3.30pm.
The footage shows a group of customers returning an hour later to find their cars missing.
A member of staff at the cinema also received a parking ticket last week.
As a result, the cinema has put up its own signs in Park Street warning customers not to park.
Mr Collington said the cinema was first consulted on the plans for the Lenton Flats site last November.
Almost 150 council homes will be built on the site of the existing five 1960s tower blocks, off Lombard Close.
The council and Nottingham City Homes, which manages its housing stock, say the homes will be built by 2016-17.
Customers have previously been able to use Park Street, and a strip of land off it which contains marked parking bays.
Mr Collington said both he and Savoy Cinema's operations director Mark Welberry have met with the city council twice since January to air their concerns.
Mr Collington said: "What happened at the weekend was totally unnecessary.
"We would like the city council to reconsider and show more support for local businesses. We are not the only business that would benefit (from more parking)."
A statement posted on the cinema's Facebook page outlined its campaign for more parking.
It said: "Customers of Savoy Cinema, Nottingham's oldest and best loved independent cinema, we are calling for your support in a situation that could potentially put our extremely well-loved and iconic cinema in serious jeopardy."
The Savoy opened in November, 1935.
The company also operates two other cinemas, in Worksop and Boston, Lincolnshire.
The city council says 'no loading' notices have been at the site since February 23 advising people of a parking ban, which has been in force since February 26.
A city council spokesman said: "We want to support local businesses such as the Savoy Cinema as much as we can. They are currently part of the ongoing consultation about the development of this area of the city and we will continue to work with them to find the best parking solution.
"The current master plan for the development provides 10 parking spaces at the entrance to the development site, next door to the Savoy, in addition to two disabled parking bays behind the cinema. We are looking at other locations that could potentially be made available.
"The development itself will bring more families into the area and thus more potential customers for the cinema. We have several developments in the area which should help increase footfall.
"We look forward to continuing to work with the Savoy in the most constructive way possible."
11 Comments
View all
by Modelxpress
Monday, March 11 2013, 10:14AM
“I have lived in the flats for 40 years and spent many a fun evening working at the Savoy back in the 80's. James taught me how to lace up a projector back in the day and the Silvers were lovely! My loyalties will always lay with the Savoy and I certainly would never condone the council's actions towards parking fines. I said weeks ago before the wooden fencing went up around the garages that Savoy parking would be seriously affected. I don't understand why the grassed area adjacent to the Savoy has never been converted to a car park? There is ample space there and it's only use for the last 40 years has been for dogs to poo on and for us as kids to play football on. Keep the trees but tarmac the rest and give business in Lenton a chance. As another poster has suggested, simply park further around park street near the Simpsons Student residences or across Derby Road on Sandfield Road. Or even better in Lenton Court's car park since that's not needed anymore! Barclays Bank car park is always open now and since the bank itself is closed at the weekend and from 5pm onwards on weekdays, just park in there! Good luck James hope the council pull their fingers out as it would be a terrible shame for the Savoy to suffer over this.”
by victormildew5
Thursday, March 07 2013, 9:19PM
“no loading signs are there for a good reason,for instance to ensure emergency vehicles can get to where they need to go,if there is someone to blame it is the selfish type of drivers who just park anywhere and run along to watch a movie in the afternoon(as you do),forgive me if i have no sympathy at all. No parking means no parking and too many are too willing to disregard the rules hence a broken society.”
by copperjohn3
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:29PM
“I had many happy times as a child at the Savoy watching movies like 'ET' and 'Bedknobs and Broomsticks'. It is still my cinema of choice despite living in Clifton and having the Showcase nearby.
I do hope something can be resolved to ensure the survival of the cinema. The nearby flats are destined for demolition, maybe a designated parking area could be provided during the changes?
That said, when driving, I always parked a little further along Park St with no problems. It meant only a two or three minute walk but today some people are so used to the convenience of modern developments that they will consider even a brief walk too much.”
by altheboss
Thursday, March 07 2013, 3:07PM
“The Barclays Bank adjacent to the Cinema is closed on a Saturday and Sunday. Not sure whether it's used already by week-end cinemagoers, but it would be nice of the Bank to offer
it's use to the Savoy.
Also, just across Derby Road from the Savoy is The Sandfield Centre, which USED to be a
Nottingham City Council Site, with PLENTY of parking. Not sure who owns it now, but again, with a bit of give and take, and consultation with the Cinema, a week-end compromise could be reached.”
by Barney_Biswas
Thursday, March 07 2013, 1:25PM
“The city council don't give a damn about businesses in Nottingham, as demonstrated by the plethora of empty premises in the city centre. As competition from retail parks and online suppliers increase, so the council maintain extortionate business rates, increase parking fees, become increasingly punitive regarding parking misdemeanours and generally bleed businesses dry - either directly or through the customer. Talk about killing the golden goose!
This time next year, maybe the Savoy will be replaced by another charity shop!”
by Craigwigan
Thursday, March 07 2013, 12:15PM
“USE THE BENDIBUS
VIVA DIVA I LOVE YOU”
by Nick2812
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:51AM
“The "No Loading Sign" racket is a nice little earner for the City Council.
When roadworks are imminent the council will put up large signs advising motorists of the fact.
But when parking is suspended they don't put-up similar explicit "parking suspended" signs. No, out come the No Waiting signs to catch those motorists who don't appreciate the change in circumstances.”
by SlickSpoons
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:36AM
“Close it down NOW!”
by Hackney
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:11AM
“I grew up going to the Savoy cinema so anything that can be done to help it stay in business is fine by me.
However, I posted in the article yesterday about this and had little sympathy with the parkers. Reading this article has not changed my mind.
It's unfortunate that there is so little parking in the area, but these cars were towed at 3:30pm according to the article, that's in the working day so a "no loading" sign should be heeded. It means no parking. Perhaps if the cars had been towed in the evening (when deliveries are unlikely) I'd be more sympathetic.
If people paid more attention to knowing the rules rather than being concerned with they "ooman rights" they wouldn't be getting tickets in the first place.
@NBrown why the asterisks instead of ******? And I'd be careful about throwing "legal" advice around like that, some people may take you up on it and find themselves in trouble.”
by Viva Diva - Professional Singers for Special Occasions
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:08AM
“Absolutely ludicrous! The cinema need action now, not waiting for new housing stock and for the council to suggest that a small increase in the people living in the area is going to have a positive impact on the number of people visiting the cinema just shows how out of touch they are. Also those suggesting that we should all use public transport, again not always practical if that was the case then there shouldn't be acres of parking at the Showcase!
There is also no need for their to be a parking restriction at the weekend and the evening; the demolition works are taking place during the daytime. The City Council need to take action on this now before the Savoy's future is in jeopardy.”