Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> Petition "Save TV Centre" http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1365027032 Message started by Administrator on Apr 3^rd, 2013, 10:11pm

Title: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on Apr 3^rd, 2013, 10:11pm

With over 1000 visitors to this new site:-

http://www.savetvc.co.uk/

things seem to be gathering pace to save the old place.

Click on the "Not" in the last sentence if you wish to express your feelings.

"TO DESTROY THESE FIVE STUDIOS WOULD, IN OUR OPINION, BE A MASSIVE MISTAKE.
IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!"

it is on the next page where you will find links to the local planning authority and other places.

Admin

(Now 2276 visitors to the " www.savetvc.co.uk" site!)

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by TonyS on Apr 13^th, 2013, 11:13pm

Recently Save TV Centre Studios has been formed, and is campaigning to keep all eight BBC Television Centre production studios, TC1 to TC8, open. See the campaign site for more info http://tc1-8.org.uk/

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on Apr 17^th, 2013, 9:24pm

Media Guardian has an article about the chronic studio shortage in London.

It may be found here.

""There isn't enough studio capacity as it is," says Not Going Out director Nick Wood. "We're all scratching our heads over what we're going to do – where we're going to go … It only takes a couple of productions to pencil in the studios and then the third production won't have anywhere to go."

"The autumn is always the busiest period," explains Kempton. "It starts off around September and then goes right through to Christmas … You walk round Television Centre and all of the studios are heaving – fully-booked everywhere you go. So, there will be a problem. Programmes will have to be cancelled … We don't know for sure whether there'll be another series of Not Going Out … but if there is … I don't know where that would go.""

Admin

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Bill Jenkin on Apr 24^th, 2013, 11:02am

The campaign now has a lot of 'celebrity' supporters.
The website has been updated and is now savetvcentrestudios.co.uk.
The petition now has 1,700 signatures. http://chn.ge/10seWKY

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by AdrianP on Apr 25^th, 2013, 7:08am

We have celebrity endorsement now from

Esther Rantzen
Michael Parkinson
Phillip Schofield
Jean Boht
Matt Lucas
Alexander Armstrong
Danny Baker
David Jason
Richard Wilson

and others. The latest (yet to be announced) is Jeremy Clarkson, who joined yesterday. We are all trying very had to get some press out of this but it's proving difficult, even with so many celebrities involved. If we can get just one to turn at the exhibition we might achieve that.

If you've been to the exhibition or have any comments to make please comment on the website.

The petition continues to grow remarkably quickly and has just passed the 2500 mark (it launched on Sunday evening, just over 3 days ago).

Here's a heads up that our shop partner http://savetvc.spreadshirt.co.uk is going to be offering a free delivery promotion this weekend. All the products are sold at cost for the moment so if you'd like a T Shirt or a mug, get your orders in this weekend!

The more activity we can get on the site the better - so your comments, observations and so on are very very welcome. We hope to be adding a 'memories' section soon too.

There are flyers and logos you can download and use as you wish on the 'Media Resources' page.

Finally, there are two more exhibition days at TVC. If you are going we could use some help handing out flyers. Contact nick@savetvc.co.uk if you'd like to help.

Please use the simple http://savetvc.co.uk for all promotion where possible, but more importantly share whatever you can with whoever you like.

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on Apr 26^th, 2013, 11:32am

"Ariel" has run a story on the "Fronted by Esther Rantzen petition"

It may be found here.

"But the petition - which has attracted some recognisable names - argues that the TVC studios represent a 'national asset, paid for by the British public through the licence fee over many years'.

The petition adds that 'it would be a gross dereliction of the BBC's duty to the public to allow the demolition of any of these studios'."

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on Apr 29^th, 2013, 7:57am

"Televisual" features the petition here.

"A petition to save BBC TV Centre's studios in West London now has 3,000 signatures, including the backing of high profile former users of the facilities Esther Rantzen, Michael Parkinson, Charlie Brooker and David Jason.

The BBC and developers Stanhope are planning to demolish four of the current eight studios at BBC TV Centre at the West London site. There is currently a period of consultation with the public about the public with the feedback to be used for the planning application.

The Save TV Centre Studios Campaign's proposition is that "BBC Television Centre represents a national asset. The studios are a unique, up-to-date and efficient facility that represent a vital part of Britain’s media."

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on May 20^th, 2013, 4:59pm

The petition to save TV Centre continues, and the web-site now provides extra links to help feedback to shape Stanhope PLC's public consultation.

If you wish to add comments click here.

Apparently the initial responses in February are now defunct.

Recently the actress Prunella Scales CBE said:-

"“As an actor who has worked in the BBC T.V. Centre’s excellent studios over many years, I’m shocked at the proposal to demolish half of this valuable facility, especially at a time when television studio space is in short supply, and often geographically inconvenient.”"

To remind readers, according to "Ariel":-

Consultation.
Stanhope/BBC have been holding a period of consultation with the public about the development; the feedback would be used for the planning application.

Dominic Coles, the BBC's director of operations, says: 'The three guiding principles behind the sale of TVC were preserving the legacy of this iconic site, identifying a developer with proven capabilities to deliver major redevelopment projects and secure financing and maximising the value of the site for licence-fee payers.

'The BBC, together with its commercial subsidiary BBC Studios and Post Production, concluded that a footprint of Studios 1, 2 and 3 at the redeveloped Television Centre, combined with our other studio facilities in Elstree and Bristol, would represent the best overall position for the BBC Group.'

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on May 20^th, 2013, 5:26pm

There is a blog "R.I.P. Television Centre" here.

It is highly personal 'blog', with somewhat unusual language, as the author feels very strongly about the subject.

The blog also includes a reference to the preservation of non-erased video-tapes from the "Top Of The Pops" era.

The author admits to have personally erased some other priceless material- as he was following orders.

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Administrator on May 27^th, 2013, 1:33pm

Roger Bunce (who worked at TVC for many years) is fighting the case to save Television Centre wherever he can.

Here is the latest 'Letter to the Editor' he's managed to have published:-

Dear Sir,
So, Pinewood Studios wish to expand into the Green Belt of Old England. They argue that there is a shortage of studio capacity in the London area. This is perfectly true. The BBC’s inexplicable closure of Television Centre, some of the best-designed, best-equipped studios in the country, has created a shortage of supply and a time of high demand. Naturally, Pinewood would wish to exploit this imbalance in the market. But, hang on. The owners of Pinewood are Peel Group. They also own Teddington Studios, but are closing them down - thus increasing the shortage of studios. Curiously, the Chairman of Pinewood is a former Chairman of the BBC, and is one of the few public figures to argue in favour of demolishing Television Centre - thus making the shortage even worse. And Peel Group, as landlords of the BBC’s new centre at Salford, are already a major financial beneficiary from the closure of Television Centre. No doubt it is pure coincidence that an artificial shortage of studio capacity has been created at the same time that Pinewood is seeking to expand its empire. But, as Licence Fee Payers, we could all help the situation, and save the Green Belt, by persuading the BBC to keep Television Centre open.

A petition may be found on this website

www.savetvc.co.uk

Best Wishes,
Roger Bunce
former Television Cameraman."

Is there anywhere (or anyone) else our members can write to?
How about the House Of Commons Accounts Committee?

Please post here if you have voiced your opinion elsewhere, and what, if any, response you have received.

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Dickie Mint on May 27^th, 2013, 9:41pm

Very interesting. Googled John Whittaker, Peel Group Billionaire chairman and found this old Express story.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/189003/How-BBC-s-move-to-Salford-will-make-tycoon-richer

According to that, Whittaker is a friend of a former BBC Chairman, Michael Grade.

Richard

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Bill Jenkin on Jun 12^th, 2013, 12:33pm

Evening Standard - London Hit by Lack of TV Studios Space. http://www.standard.co.uk/business/media/in-the-air-london-hit-by-lack-of-tv-studio-space-8655157.html

Title: Re: Petition "Save TV Centre"
Post by Amigo on Jun 12^th, 2013, 2:45pm

Is there anyone out there listening?
Anyone with contacts in the House Of Commons Accounts Committee?