Moving the movies

St Neots is having a six-screen cinema, originally due to be finished this autumn. But something has gone wrong and it will be delayed until early next year. The photo may give you a clue.

Old and new positions

Believe it or not, the new cinema was being constructed in the wrong place. At first it appeared that the developers, Turnstone, were at fault. Perhaps they misread the plans?

But no, they faithfully began building accurately in the wrong place - the fault seems to be with the architects. The plans were wrong.

Some of the local residents complained because the building was going to be some 800 mm closer to their properties than agreed. The developers decided the right thing to do was move the steelwork (it was almost complete by then). So the cinema framework has been partly unbolted, large sections moved as single pieces, and bolted down onto new concrete pads. It's been amazing to watch.

The photo shows one of the vertical steel beams in its new position with the old position marked in blue.

Sadly we will have to wait a little longer for our cinema. We were hoping to see the second part of 'The Hobbit' here this winter, but now it'll involve a trip to Huntingdon.

(If you liked this you might also like Journeys of heart and mind and Quote me on this.)