Ken doesn't think the Rolling Stones will play at the proposed arena
Mayor Ken Livingstone has rubbished the idea of an arena at the Gateway site and instead called for "an iconic building that defines the new Croydon".
Speaking to members of Croydon's Business Improvement District (BID) on Friday last week the mayor drew applause when he said an office development would make better use of the space.
"Who needs an arena which will often be empty. Does anyone seriously believe that the Rolling Stones will come and perform in an arena that small?" he asked.
Mr Livingstone's comments were at odds with those of Labour councillors in Croydon who dreamt up the 12,000 seat arena plan, the Conservative administration that continued to back the scheme after taking control of the town hall and the council's new chief executive Jon Rouse.
Ken Frost, a campaigner from Croydon Against the Arena, said after the meeting: "It's a strange state of affairs where I find myself agreeing with Ken Livingstone. The fundamental disgrace is that the council has spent hours of time and God knows how many thousands of pounds opposing the original plans that were set out by the owners of the land. It is not economically viable, it faces stiff competition from the O2 arena and we don't have the infrastructure to deal with the crowds who may or may not turn up to it."
“Who needs an arena which will often be empty. Does anyone seriously believe that the Rolling Stones will come and perform in an arena that small?”
Ken Livingstone
Mr Livingstone, who was in Croydon as part of his election campaign, said improving the tram service and getting kids out of gangs and off the streets would be his priorities if he was elected for another term.
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The Mayor said he has campaigned for anyone caught with a knife to get an automatic prison sentence.
He said that they could use fingerprint and DNA technology to find out who owned any weapons found: "There is nothing for kids to do in London at the moment, we need to get kids off the streets and into training.
"We need to provide things for them to do in the evenings and on the weekends and give them role models and mentors. A lot of them have been failed by the education system. We will be providing a proper second chance for these kids."
Posted by: Jonathan, East Croydon on 3:09pm Tue 15 Apr 08
What a load of old tosh.... We don't have the infrastructure??? How is that. Has Mr Frost ever been to the 02 Arena.... There are more transport links in Croydon than there are in Greenwich at the location of the 02. It has the DLR, a train station and tube station. We have two stations, a proposed tube link in 2010 to North London and a train station. In fact if anything we have a better infrastructure in place than the 02, and to me I think Mr Frost and Ken Livingstone are extremely wide of the mark.
The Faifield Halls doesn't have the capability to be a first class music venue in CRoydon and there is much need for a first class venue capable of being an exhibition centre and entertainment centre outside of LOndon. The nearest at the moemnt are in Milton Keynes and Brighton. It would be fantastic to see sucha venue in Croydon, and it would give the borough a much needed boost and will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment. I think the economic boost for the area would be fantastic and would see the borough thrive with this proposal. It just shows that some people are completely missing the point and have no idea what they are on about!!
What a load of old tosh.... We don't have the infrastructure??? How is that. Has Mr Frost ever been to the 02 Arena.... There are more transport links in Croydon than there are in Greenwich at the location of the 02. It has the DLR, a train station and tube station. We have two stations, a proposed tube link in 2010 to North London and a train station. In fact if anything we have a better infrastructure in place than the 02, and to me I think Mr Frost and Ken Livingstone are extremely wide of the mark.
The Faifield Halls doesn't have the capability to be a first class music venue in CRoydon and there is much need for a first class venue capable of being an exhibition centre and entertainment centre outside of LOndon. The nearest at the moemnt are in Milton Keynes and Brighton. It would be fantastic to see sucha venue in Croydon, and it would give the borough a much needed boost and will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment. I think the economic boost for the area would be fantastic and would see the borough thrive with this proposal. It just shows that some people are completely missing the point and have no idea what they are on about!!
Posted by: ken frost, croydon on 3:40pm Tue 15 Apr 08
DYOR
O2
"The O2 promise to deliver the widest range of entertainment possible under one canopied roof. It has the capacity to host 20,000 people in The O2 Arena – a maximum capacity perfect for the big name acts it attracts.
The O2 arena benefits both the punters and the performer with its perfect sight-lines from every angle, crystal clear acoustics, comfortable seating, wide aisles and a huge variety of snacks and beverages.
The O2 has changed the face of concert-going by offering visitors an enhanced experience. Visitors can enjoy a first rate meal in one of our 25 bars and restaurants before or after the show.
Our O2 arena food is of the highest quality - we do offer burgers and hotdogs but also stir fries, freshly made sandwiches and salads. People can come down and spend the afternoon there even if they aren't attending a concert. The cinema is hugely popular and attractions like this summer's beach saw over 100,000 people visit.
It also boasts to have successfully avoided any long waits to the lavatories by fitting 548 toilets into the venue.
Transport links to The O2 also makes the venue one of the most convenient venues available. 'The transport links to The O2 are fantastic,' said Ellison.
'The Jubilee Line carries visitors from Bond Street to North Greenwich in 20 minutes; we own The Thames Clipper service which ferries customers to and from The O2 down to Waterloo and London Bridge Pier every half an hour. There are 2,000 car parking spaces as well as a 24 hour bus service. Customer experience is everything.'"
Source
http://www.scenta.co
.uk/Engineering/1708
358/what-has-o2-done
-to-the-millennium-d
ome.htm
DYOR
O2
"The O2 promise to deliver the widest range of entertainment possible under one canopied roof. It has the capacity to host 20,000 people in The O2 Arena – a maximum capacity perfect for the big name acts it attracts.
The O2 arena benefits both the punters and the performer with its perfect sight-lines from every angle, crystal clear acoustics, comfortable seating, wide aisles and a huge variety of snacks and beverages.
The O2 has changed the face of concert-going by offering visitors an enhanced experience. Visitors can enjoy a first rate meal in one of our 25 bars and restaurants before or after the show.
Our O2 arena food is of the highest quality - we do offer burgers and hotdogs but also stir fries, freshly made sandwiches and salads. People can come down and spend the afternoon there even if they aren't attending a concert. The cinema is hugely popular and attractions like this summer's beach saw over 100,000 people visit.
It also boasts to have successfully avoided any long waits to the lavatories by fitting 548 toilets into the venue.
Transport links to The O2 also makes the venue one of the most convenient venues available. 'The transport links to The O2 are fantastic,' said Ellison.
'The Jubilee Line carries visitors from Bond Street to North Greenwich in 20 minutes; we own The Thames Clipper service which ferries customers to and from The O2 down to Waterloo and London Bridge Pier every half an hour. There are 2,000 car parking spaces as well as a 24 hour bus service. Customer experience is everything.'"
Jonathan wrote that the proposed Croydon arena [quote]will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment[/quote]
I think he might well have something there: my informant on the street tells me - and here I'm attempting the transliterate the vernacular - "An areena wud be reel cool, yeah? Fink of oll doz dudes cummin to Croydon wiv muni an phouns an stuff, no wot i'm sayin? An wiv oll doz krowds da filf kud neva catch us an we kud earn sum serious bread, man. I meen, its ollready packed round da station most of da time [italic]now[/italic], innit? An its OUR patch, 2, no wot i'm sayin? ...Da CRAPs (dats 4 [italic]Croydon Road Posse[/italic]. Oi, why u laughin? U dissin us or sumting?"
Mm, maybe Ken Livingstone's got this one right.
Jonathan wrote that the proposed Croydon arena
will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment
I think he might well have something there: my informant on the street tells me - and here I'm attempting the transliterate the vernacular - "An areena wud be reel cool, yeah? Fink of oll doz dudes cummin to Croydon wiv muni an phouns an stuff, no wot i'm sayin? An wiv oll doz krowds da filf kud neva catch us an we kud earn sum serious bread, man. I meen, its ollready packed round da station most of da time now, innit? An its OUR patch, 2, no wot i'm sayin? ...Da CRAPs (dats 4 Croydon Road Posse. Oi, why u laughin? U dissin us or sumting?"
Posted by: donald oldsman, croydon on 5:15pm Tue 15 Apr 08
Aren't the Rolling Stones a great band. Have you seen their movie at the IMAX? Fantastic. And to think, Mick, Charlie and the others can make full and frank use of their Freedom passes throughout Croydon, and that includes the Trams. I marvel at Jagger's agility and showmanship. The distance from the proposed stage to East Croydon station would be short enough to appeal to Keith as well. He'd even have time for a quick Burger King if pushed for time. I'm all for this arena malarkey.
Aren't the Rolling Stones a great band. Have you seen their movie at the IMAX? Fantastic. And to think, Mick, Charlie and the others can make full and frank use of their Freedom passes throughout Croydon, and that includes the Trams. I marvel at Jagger's agility and showmanship. The distance from the proposed stage to East Croydon station would be short enough to appeal to Keith as well. He'd even have time for a quick Burger King if pushed for time. I'm all for this arena malarkey.
Posted by: Dan M Hicks, Croydon on 10:41am Wed 16 Apr 08
Thanks for that run down on the O2 Ken Frost... but were not talking about the O2!!
This is about a growing community thats having millions of pounds spent on it to make Croydon a thriving place...
Croydon WAS known for being one of the busiest and best places for live music. With venues like the Cartoon, the Harp, The Tavern... All of which have closed down since. As a working musician within Croydon there are VERY few half decent venues in croydon with the breif and the ship as a pub with a stage and the sheep doing fewer shows. CROYDON NEEDS MORE VENUES!!!
The reason the kids are on the streets is BECAUSE theres nothing to do in Croydon! If the arena ran a Rock festval/event... a hip hot event... R&B event... Morris dancing convention... then people would go to it!!
The Arena is a fantastic idea... save money and have it as a tour venue (the bands bring their own rig) much like brixton academy and the london astoria! You WILL get the bands and WILL get the punters through the doors... Ken Livingstone... shut yer face!!
Thanks for that run down on the O2 Ken Frost... but were not talking about the O2!!
This is about a growing community thats having millions of pounds spent on it to make Croydon a thriving place...
Croydon WAS known for being one of the busiest and best places for live music. With venues like the Cartoon, the Harp, The Tavern... All of which have closed down since. As a working musician within Croydon there are VERY few half decent venues in croydon with the breif and the ship as a pub with a stage and the sheep doing fewer shows. CROYDON NEEDS MORE VENUES!!!
The reason the kids are on the streets is BECAUSE theres nothing to do in Croydon! If the arena ran a Rock festval/event... a hip hot event... R&B event... Morris dancing convention... then people would go to it!!
The Arena is a fantastic idea... save money and have it as a tour venue (the bands bring their own rig) much like brixton academy and the london astoria! You WILL get the bands and WILL get the punters through the doors... Ken Livingstone... shut yer face!!
Posted by: Jonathan, East Croydon on 12:36pm Wed 16 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Croyboy[/bold] wrote:
Jonathan wrote that the proposed Croydon arena [quote]will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment[/quote] I think he might well have something there: my informant on the street tells me - and here I\'m attempting the transliterate the vernacular - \"An areena wud be reel cool, yeah? Fink of oll doz dudes cummin to Croydon wiv muni an phouns an stuff, no wot i\'m sayin? An wiv oll doz krowds da filf kud neva catch us an we kud earn sum serious bread, man. I meen, its ollready packed round da station most of da time [italic]now[/italic], innit? An its OUR patch, 2, no wot i\'m sayin? ...Da CRAPs (dats 4 [italic]Croydon Road Posse[/italic]. Oi, why u laughin? U dissin us or sumting?\" Mm, maybe Ken Livingstone\'s got this one right. [/quote] Excuse me Croyboy.... I think you have got my post rather wrong there. I certainly don't speak like that what-so-ever, and I wouldn't even allow my children to speak in that god awful broken english, in fact I don't even know what you're trying to get at in all honesty.
The sooner people realise just what a boost for this borough the arena would be the better.
The arena would bring not only alot of commerce to the town, but also a lot of interest and with much more rejuvination. Who's to say that if these proposals go through that the transport infrastructure would be improved to accomodate such a venture anyway.
I live around the East Croydon area and am pleased of such a venture. I also agree Dan Hick's post.
One reason why I will be voting for Boris Johnson and not the moronic Ken Livingstone (and normally I am a Labour voter) for London Mayor.
Croyboy wrote:
Jonathan wrote that the proposed Croydon arena
will help to get some of the unemployed in the borough into full time employment
I think he might well have something there: my informant on the street tells me - and here I\'m attempting the transliterate the vernacular - \"An areena wud be reel cool, yeah? Fink of oll doz dudes cummin to Croydon wiv muni an phouns an stuff, no wot i\'m sayin? An wiv oll doz krowds da filf kud neva catch us an we kud earn sum serious bread, man. I meen, its ollready packed round da station most of da time now, innit? An its OUR patch, 2, no wot i\'m sayin? ...Da CRAPs (dats 4 Croydon Road Posse. Oi, why u laughin? U dissin us or sumting?\" Mm, maybe Ken Livingstone\'s got this one right.
Excuse me Croyboy.... I think you have got my post rather wrong there. I certainly don't speak like that what-so-ever, and I wouldn't even allow my children to speak in that god awful broken english, in fact I don't even know what you're trying to get at in all honesty.
The sooner people realise just what a boost for this borough the arena would be the better.
The arena would bring not only alot of commerce to the town, but also a lot of interest and with much more rejuvination. Who's to say that if these proposals go through that the transport infrastructure would be improved to accomodate such a venture anyway.
I live around the East Croydon area and am pleased of such a venture. I also agree Dan Hick's post.
One reason why I will be voting for Boris Johnson and not the moronic Ken Livingstone (and normally I am a Labour voter) for London Mayor.
Jonathan [quote]Excuse me Croyboy.... I think you have got my post rather wrong there. I certainly don't speak like that what-so-ever, and I wouldn't even allow my children to speak in that god awful broken english, in fact I don't even know what you're trying to get at in all honesty.[/quote]
Rest assured, Jonathan, I didn't get your post wrong, nor I was I suggesting for a moment that you and yours speak like that! But what I was trying to "get at" was that the venue you're supporting well [italic]might[/italic] bring "a lot of commerce to the town", but I'm not so certain that it would be of the type that's desirable. More likely it would be of a variety that "employed" people who who speak similarly to my humble approximation.
See the article "Exclusive: 'Sorted' in 15 minutes"
http://www.croydongu
ardian.co.uk/news/lo
calnews/display.var.
2201370.0.exclusive_
sorted_in_15_minutes
.php
Jonathan
Excuse me Croyboy.... I think you have got my post rather wrong there. I certainly don't speak like that what-so-ever, and I wouldn't even allow my children to speak in that god awful broken english, in fact I don't even know what you're trying to get at in all honesty.
Rest assured, Jonathan, I didn't get your post wrong, nor I was I suggesting for a moment that you and yours speak like that! But what I was trying to "get at" was that the venue you're supporting well might bring "a lot of commerce to the town", but I'm not so certain that it would be of the type that's desirable. More likely it would be of a variety that "employed" people who who speak similarly to my humble approximation.
See the article "Exclusive: 'Sorted' in 15 minutes"
http://www.croydongu
ardian.co.uk/news/lo
calnews/display.var.
Has Ken Livingstone just woken up to the Arena proposal? Or is it just that it gets him in the headlines 2 weeks before the Mayoral election? At least it detracts from some other issues!
Has Ken Livingstone just woken up to the Arena proposal? Or is it just that it gets him in the headlines 2 weeks before the Mayoral election? At least it detracts from some other issues!
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