tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255817542926482109.post8277252008306959941..comments2023-07-19T02:10:29.722-07:00Comments on Councillor Gary Malcolm: My New Year's Message for EalingGary Malcolmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14864260190245622347noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-255817542926482109.post-5092018090657966052012-12-31T03:42:35.240-08:002012-12-31T03:42:35.240-08:00I would have liked to see more promotion of herita...I would have liked to see more promotion of heritage in the borough during 2012. There is so much modern music heritage here, as well as some very old and wonderful buidings, and we seem to be more interested in demolishing it than preserving it. I really think we lost out on tourist income by failing to capitalise on places like the Starlite Ballroom and the former Granada cinema, venues played by some of the greatest twentieth century British musicians. We've also allowed historic buildings like Greenford's 18th century community centre to deteriorate. In any other European country these buildings would be cherished and promoted. In Ealing they just about survive until a property developer notices them and knocks them down. The attractive Art Deco era architecture that is everywhere could be smartened up and be a draw for tourists but this has also been overlooked (the way the cinema in Ealing was dealt with is a disgrace - the rest of Europe would laugh at us for failing to preserve that kind of building). I want to hear less about our green spaces (they're a heartbeat away from being built on) and more about getting tourist revenue into the area through the restoration of Victorian and Art Deco architecture. We have missed out on millions of US tourist dollars by failing to make the most of Victorian Ealing at a time when it was made fashionable by films like "The Young Victoria". Shortsighted and foolish planning decisions will no doubt exacerbate the situation througout 2013. Albertina McNeillnoreply@blogger.com