So what happened?
02/02/02 - Site launch. Press releases go out to all the local papers and the site is ready to receive visitors after recent completion.
07/02/02 - The Evening News features our site on the front page of their paper. Click here to see the article. The paper details what the project is setting out to do and how we wish to get the opinions of local people to see what could be done about the building. Other local papers are soon to follow and soon we have over 500 visitors and over 40 forum members. People begin to talk about the future of the venue and what it could be turned into. Suggestions include a music venue, internet cafe, daycare centre, community hall and even a period cinema experience with refreshments and usherettes in the auditorium.
10/02/02 - Chris from Rhythm & Booze magazine (local music promoters) suggests meeting in real life and plans begin to get people together. Ideas are put forward for how we could fund such a project and suggestions include an online shop or radio station.
13/02/02 - Photoshoots continue to gain publicity for the site. This time The Standard wishes to run an article. The majority of worcester people want The Northwick to be a music venue again to encourage bigger bands back to the city but local people are against the idea due to the noise and disturbance it would create so a new focus must be found.
22/03/02 - Minutes are posted for the first meeting which took place on the 13th of March. Click here to read them.
15/04/02 - The Evening News runs an update of the story on the 2nd and the idea for a Virtual Venue is put together, changing the direction to an internet project to promote local music on the web.
6/7/02 - Other meetings between members and contributions to the forum continue until the next official gathering at The Vine, opposite The Northwick. The minutes for this meeting are available to read here.
09/08/02 - After more meetings the Virtual Venue idea is now to become a site of its own. The Northwick Forum moves towards closure as the project has shifted direction. Work begins on the Virtual Venue for local bands. Front page is complete and layouts are being created for content.
21/08/02 - Forums are closed and front side of the site is rearranged. Work continues on the Virtual Venue and after more meetings a release date will be set for the return of TheNorthick.com site and forum.
So is that it?
No! This site will remain online as a reference to visitors who wish to learn about the building. Thank you to everyone who gave their input.
The project has achieved everything it set out to do. To raise awareness about the Northwick Cinema and Theatre, to get the opinions of local people and to inspire bidders to save and develop the building.
The rest is now in the hands of potential developers, and of course Ian Perks. Thank you again to all the people who visited the site and gave their opinions.
What next?
Development is in the hands of the owner. With no support locally for re-opening the venue the fate of the building is still uncertain. News recently reached us of plans to 'un-list' the building and tear it down to be replaced with a block of flats for elderly residents.
Richard Sturdy.
Site Admin / Zero Two Media.
