The ePetition - Save the Sunninghill Picture House / Novello Theatre (moderngov.co.uk) - Now Closed and Successful

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A huge crowd packed the Cordes Hall, Sunninghill in January 2024, to hear that the Novello Theatre - The Picture House, donated to the community in 1920 by local resident, Stuart McNair's grandparents - is in danger of being sold to developers by RBWM, thereby depriving the local residents of a much-needed community facility . There was a very strong feeling that it could complement the Cordes Hall facilities and managed in a similar way. Great improvements have been achieved at the CordesHall - thanks to Jane Richardson and her team. The Novello is currently in a bad state of repair - asbestos-clad, with no seating and a dodgy roof  - as the long-time lessee has not maintained it and owners, RBWM ,- have failed to ensure it was properly maintained. A huge effort by the community is needed now to create CHANT - Community Hub at Novello Theatre !

The Proposal of the meeting was to restore the Novello Theatre, (The Picture House) as a venue to be used for the benefit of the local community. Linking The Picture House and Cordes Hall, creating a community hub/venue in Sunninghill. Offering a vibrant and varied programme of Live Performance, Cinema, Clubs, Classes, and other community services.

The Aims of Meeting were to  inform the local community of the current situation and to recruit a working group to move the project forward. Organisers were overwhelmed with offers of support. 

Those present were encouraged, as a matter of urgency  to write to local councillors, MD of the RBWM- owned Property Company, Ian.Brazier-Dubber@rbwm.gov.uk  and to SIGN the petition - which had already reached the required 1,000 signatures by the end of the meeting.  Another progress meeting will be convened shortly . Watch this space!

Organisers of the meeting made it plain that an alternative community plan needs to be in place by late March, if it is to head off a sale to developers. The meeting was told there has been very little time to pull this together so far, as the community, and even our own Councillors, have been very much kept in the dark about plans for the site. This was described as inexplicable, given that community organisations have been alerting the Borough to the desirability of adopting the Theatre for community/school/church use, for at least a decade. 

The meeting was angry at times - having heard that interested parties and the public have not been kept informed and that the Novello has been allowed deteriorate so far , with delapidations still not being required from the lessees. Quite how far plans for redevelopment of the site have progressed, is not known! 

Local resident, entomolygist and TV personality, Prof George McGavin, said it was vital that the Novello was secured for the community, regardless of what facilities may be planned for Ascot, and he pledged 'a grand' to the cause, on the spot !

Chairman, Alan Everett will be setting up a Facebook page to help co-ordinate the Community Novello Plan and anyone who has any relevant skills, is urged to help. 

 

If you awere unable to attend the meeting but would like to sign a petition supporting a proposal to keep the Novello (Picture House) as a community resource, please sign the petition by following this link:

ePetition - Save the Sunninghill Picture House / Novello Theatre (moderngov.co.uk)

Future of Novello Theatre Sunninghill | Public Meeting | January 24t