1. The Ghost of Kidderminster Past
2. The Ghost of Kidderminster Present

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh51/therustyspanner/sling.jpg

"Ghost of the Future," he exclaimed, "I fear you more than any spectre I have seen ... Will you not speak to me?"

In 2005 an ancient and peculiar prophecy came true in Kidderminster. After a thousand false dawns and oh so many broken promises, a new cinema finally came to our town. Kidderminster had been waiting impatiently for a cinema since the demise of the Central Cinema in 1982, seven years before the collapse of the Berlin wall. Kidderminster was without film for twenty-three years... which is rather a long time to be trekking back and forth to Merry Hell to see a movie. In any case, we have a lot to thank the Warehouse cinema for, and incidentally very little to thank the eighties for...

Throughout its short existence the rather charming Warehouse cinema has served us well. However lurking in the shadows have always been rumours of some major multi-screened monster of a cinema coming to Kidderminster. Recently plans have been announced for such a complex to be built on Worcester Street at a cost of £40 million. It is to come complete with a bowling alley and a budget hostel, ready for all those tourists to come flocking to the town. Quite what this will mean for our friendly neighbourhood Warehouse cinema, I'm not sure. Is this town really big enough for the both of them?

On the other hand this development could bring an awful lot of money to the area. It is another positive step in the regeneration of Kidderminster, in its transformation from a declining industrial town to a modernised nucleus of retail. As I wrote in my previous blog, towns have to change or they get left behind... and nobody wanted to sit and watch Kidderminster fall into decline and dilapidation. Nobody wanted to linger as lusty poets proclaimed, 'Come friendly bombs and fall on Kidderminster, it isn't fit to house a spinster...' No, we wanted our town to thrive and expand, to flourish and develop into a hive of activity and life. We wanted to expel that wretched Ghost of Kidderminster Yet to Come from our delightful hometown. Thankfully, I think we are on the right path.

It is with this in mind that I consider the proposed plans for Slingfield Mill. As you may have read, Debenhams are conspiring to take over this historic building and refurbish it. A high-class hotel will also be moving into the old mill, to cater for all those requiring that extra level of luxury during their stay in the 'minster. The picture at the top of this blog is an artist's impression of how all this may look. Personally I think it is excellent that such a valuable and profitable use has been found for this building, which is an iconic piece of our history. It will bring investment, jobs and people to the town.

There have been some concerns over potential architectural defilement of the Slingfield Mill though. Much has been made for example of plans to create four façade archway openings, which would involve knocking some rather large holes in the building. Now obviously it would be preferable to avoid this and keep the mill in its original condition. However, with the Debenhams proposal I believe that the benefits far outweigh the negatives. I would much rather Slingfield Mill be adapted for some fresh purpose than remain derelict and empty. I would hate to see it go the same way as some of the buildings mentioned in Stephen Curry's latest blog (Available Here). This is an opportunity to utilise a valued piece of our heritage and I really don't think we can just let it pass by.

So what does the future really hold for Kidderminster? Well, nobody can honestly say. However I think we can look forward to seeing a profitable and expanding town in the years to come. Who knows perhaps one day, many decades from now, Kidderminster might even become a city. In any case, there is definitely potential here. Anyone who has been to the ever expanding market on a Thursday or Saturday can see that we have a vibrant and diverse town centre. Meanwhile, developments such as the proposed cinema complex and the new Debenhams can only help drive expansion. They may also increase Kidderminster's sphere of influence in the local area (Wahey! I knew I'd find a use for those silly GCSE Geography terms one day). All this could mean that people might one day be attracted to Kidderminster as a viable shopping alternative to Birmingham or Worcester.

And if that becomes the case, then no more will our streets be haunted by those ghosts and spectres from the past, present and future...

Tak, fair folk of Kiddy.