Save TV Centre Studios » Television Centre

A VERY DEPRESSING EVENING

Adrian Pegg — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:17:55 +0000

Yesterday was the first day of a three day exhibition of redevelopment plans at Television Centre. According to Nick Harris, our man on the scene, there was a steady stream of staffers going in to the exhibition, most of whom had already heard of the campaign, and at least six volunteers were there handing out flyers and talking to visitors. Stanhope were expecting us to be there and commented on how civilised it all was. So it should be, this is a campaign after all, not a protest!

David Clapham sent us this report from the TVC exhibition:

I went to the Stanhope exhibition at TVC yesterday evening and asked what had changed since the last exhibition. They replied ‘nothing, except this time there is more detail’. I spoke to a Stanhope representative who informed me that TC8 would be demolished in addition to studios 4,5 ,6 and 7 to make way for flats, so the facts are that 5 studios are to be demolished not 4.

I asked how many flats would be built occupying the space that studios 4 to 8 occupied and he promised me that he would email this information.

I then spoke to Andrew Fullerton stated that £200 million pounds for the sale of the site was the best that could have been achieved, and that £50 million was a more conservative price in the present market place. He informed me that the cost of moving CAR (Central Apparatus Room) from TVC would be borne by the BBC and was a condition of the sale, so we can deduct this cost from the sale price received by the BBC!

Interestingly BBC Worldwide have a 25 year lease and S and PP a 20 year lease when they move back in, so I guess that covers the remainder of the income from sale then! Stanhope very confident that all of their proposals for the site comply with current planning rules and the mayor’s policy for housing in the borough, and as such they will get planning permission.

Lots of other issues were discussed, for example security and audiences, but to be honest they haven’t a clue how such things will pan out .

This was a very depressing evening

If you went to the exhibition or are planning to attend, we would love to have your thoughts and comments.

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BACKING FROM THE BROOM CUPBOARD

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:14:16 +0000

‘This Morning’, ‘The Cube’, ‘Mr & Mrs’ and ‘Dancing On Ice’ host Phillip Schofield began his British TV career at Television Centre. He provided continuity for Children’s BBC from the infamous ‘broom cupboard’, before becoming host of Saturday morning classic ‘Going Live’. This is what he has to say about the campaign:

“It’s easy to become over sentimental over TVC, after all, it is the building where all my career dreams came true,” he admits, “However on a much more practical level, I remain convinced that, with the right business plan, this iconic building could be saved.”

“It is the envy of broadcasters around the world. HD capable and in some cases 3D capable. With 8 purpose built studios it seems extremely short sighted to lose this vital broadcasting hub in the capital.”

Schofield’s affection for the Centre is well-known in the industry and to his many fans. Last year, he acquired one of the EMI 2001 colour cameras that had been used at TV Centre throughout the 1970s and 1980s, complete with its ‘BBC tv colour’ logo plate.

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Re-development plans exhibition

admin — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 08:30:34 +0000

There is an exhibition of the redevelopment plans coming up, before plans are submitted for planning permission in May
The exhibition will take place at the Reception, Television Centre, Wood Lane, W12 on

Wednesday 24th April, 17:00-20:00
Thursday 25th April, 14:00-20:00
Saturday 27th April, 10:00-16:00

For more information please visit www.television-centre.com.

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PARKY JOINS THE CAMPAIGN!

Nick Harris — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:52:19 +0000

Already publicly outspoken about the potential demolition of Television Centre, we are delighted to announce that Michael Parkinson is joining the campaign. He writes: “Demolishing the studios is an act of cultural vandalism akin to demolishing the Royal Opera House, the National Film Theatre and the National Theatre and they wouldn’t do that would they?”

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LEGO ARCHITECTURE: BBC TELEVISION CENTRE

admin — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:37:45 +0000

The Lego CUSOO website offers fans of the little building blocks and yellow men the opportunity to submit ideas for Lego sets that could go into production.

We were delighted then, to see this submission on the site submitted by user dansquier and will of course be casting our votes for his Lego Architecture submission of the BBC Television Centre asap.

Here’s what Dansquier had to say about his entry:

“Television Centre at White City in West London was the headquarters of BBC Television from its opening in 1960 until its sale and closure for redevelopment in early 2013. As home to many of Britain’s most well-known and well-loved television broadcasts and recordings for over 50 years, it’s a building that’s familiar to millions. As a distinctive, quirky and iconic piece of architecture – said to be inspired by a question mark sketch on the back of envelope – it’s utterly unique, and inspires enormous affection from those who’ve come to know it: both up close and from the comfort of their living room over warm tea and buttered toast.”

You can click here to support his submission and hopefully we’ll all be buying Lego BBC Television Centre sets very soon.

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