Good news for AP from the Heritage Lottery Fund

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Permalink Reply by John D on May 9, 2013 at 5:58

Well done Clive and Duncan Wilson

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on May 9, 2013 at 6:10

John, I merely post the good news!

And it really is good news: it's the beginning of a path that I trust will lead to our eccentric building regaining its place as one of London's most important destinations and in due course, to become London's fourth UN World Heritage site.

The world's oldest surviving television studios – BBC Studios A and B – are on the upper floor of the south east wing.

This is real regeneration and I believe the whole council pulled together for this.

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Permalink Reply by Takaokagiejin on May 9, 2013 at 11:24

Gosh this is wonderful news.  Is there an old Victorian theatre hidden away in there?

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on May 9, 2013 at 12:13

It's excellent news. The story is on the front page of today's Ham and High, together with a little sketch of a revamped theatre that I haven't seen before. The Victorian Theatre is hidden away in the north west corner, round the back, as it were. It may be a while before the it's re-opened. If you haven't seen it before, check out some of the links here on Flickr ...

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Permalink Reply by matt on May 9, 2013 at 21:47

Excellent. At last a coherent plan & team are taking this all forward. The theatre in particular has huge potential but even the entrance to the ice rink desperately needs investment - away with those awful carpet tiles!

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on May 10, 2013 at 5:30

Yes! I understand that the concrete block kiosk – better suited to an outdoor setting – is likely to go, along with the carpet tiles. It is hard to understand some of unsympathetic additions of the past.

Just to clarify, the £900k is the first tranche of what is likely to be a much larger sum that will see practically the whole eastern side receiving attention. 

In 1980, firemen risked their lives to save the precious east wing from the big fire. For a host of good reasons, the East side is likely to become the main entrance for the whole building.

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