The empty Barney’s Bingo building has become one possible target for an ambitious arts project in Fleetwood.
A meeting is being staged in the town tonight (Wednesday) to establish community involvement in the exciting scheme.
George Greenall is pressing ahead with plans to set up the Angel Building project, a proposed arts centre which would combine theatre work, film-making, an art gallery and even a small cinema.
It is an ambitious project but George is confident that if enough people support the venture, it can become a reality.
In June, George’s hopes took a temporary setback when the main building he had in mind for the scheme, the empty Orient Building, became unavailable.
But George says the proposals are still pressing ahead.
The meeting takes place in the community room at Fleetwood Fire Station, on Radcliffe Road, tonight at 8pm.
George told the Weekly News: “This project is all about the community, and for it to work it would need the input of local people. The aim is to set up a committee so that a wider group of people can discuss plans of what services can go in there.
“It would be good to have a few different ideas – and if there are people out there who are good at fund-raising or who can write funding bids, that would be really useful.
“This is about providing a vibrant place in Fleetwood which can make the most of people’s talents, give people a chance to try things and put something new on offer to the community in and around Fleetwood.”
George, a former Fleetwood man who lives in Thornton, runs a local business making short films for various organisations and also has a background in community theatre.
For the Angel Project, he has set up the Fleetwood Plus Community Interest Company to oversee activities.
George said: “At present, the owners of the bingo hall, Maple Group Developments, are still leasing the building to Top Ten Bingo on a long-term deal.
“Having an empty building like that does no one any favours.
“The key factor is the possible hire price, which is something we will be discussing with the owners.
“We are looking at other options in Fleetwood as well.
“In the meantime we are looking to start fund-raising and have a fun day at Fleetwood Cricket Club on September 1, from 11am to 4pm, which is £1 for adults and free for children.”
George has a number of buildings in mind which could provide a base for the arts centre, including Barney’s Bingo premises on Poulton Road, originally the Victoria Cinema. For further details contact George on (01253) 825206.