stalbanslife

James Hannaway, owner of the beautifully renovated Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, is now in the final phase of purchasing The Alpha (previously the Odeon Cinema) in St Albans. It is hoped that the last £100 K will be pledged or donated in the coming week bringing it to a total of £1 million.

James states ‘ The best way to win the race to secure the site is through sponsored chairs. There are 500 seats ‘for sale’ at £1000 a seat! The best news is: we can buy the site with £1 million of real St Albans money, small and huge, and ALL extraordinary. This is a whole city putting its money where its heart is. So perhaps in return, I owe you the will and energy to make it work.’

James’s sensational, art-deco Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted is impressive in every aspect. The comfy red seating, table lamps, the bar, walls-of-great-glory; its elegance would truly suit the ambiance of  St Albans.

Local residents have been concerned that the needs of our teenagers are considered when renovating The Alpha. At present they have to travel to other cities to see movies. How wonderful it would be for the environment and for their finances, if they could stay in their own St Albans. For more information, email therexberkhamsted@googlemail.com or send your cheques to The Rex, High St, Berkhamsted HP4 2FG.

As you all doubtlessly know, there is a campaign, led by JamesHannaway of the Rex cinema in Berkhamstead. Here’s some useful info from James:

“So far in only three weeks since the bank account was opened you have paid in over £100,000. Still cheques only until we have card machines installed. Not long but more than a week. Cheques with full names addresses, emails and WHAT FOR to: The Alpha St Albans (address below). Watch allaboutstalbans.com for updates. A very big apology to those who have gone missing from our answering system. Please contact the Rex again therexberkhamsted@hotmail.co.uk.”

“If all fails before 15 February and the site is bought for development, all your money will be returned in full. Thanks to the extraordinary leap of faith from the one who sent a cheque for £25,000 with just the line: ‘Please acknowledge receipt’.”

Here’s what we’ve raised up to last week… 27 Jan

After years of stalled plans and failed planning applications,  St Albans Odeon is now in the hands of James Hannaway – the person who restored the wonderfully successful Rex cinema in Berkhamsted. If the money can be found, there is a fighting chance that we could have the Odeon up and running in similar style. There is nothing the people of St Albans would like better than simply to have their cinema back and this is the chance to do it. Please come to the meeting at the Rex 12:30 pm on Sunday 29 November to find out more and get involved in this great local endeavour.

Click on the image  above to open in a new window and read the full details of the flyer.