Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gala Bingo Hall: Kettering

Thursday 22 February 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Philip Hollobone asked the Minister to meet promoters of the bid to the cultural development fund to restore the Gala Bingo hall in Kettering.
  • The Minister welcomed Philip Hollobone's interest and noted that Ministers are unable to meet bid promoters as the application process for the cultural development fund's fourth round is currently open.
  • The Minister congratulated Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins for their ambitious bid to repurpose the former Gala Bingo hall in Kettering into a community arts, music, and family hub.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Philip Hollobone Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A bid has been submitted to the cultural development fund for restoring the former Gala Bingo hall in Kettering, which aims to transform it into a community arts and music hub.

Question

If she will meet promoters of the bid to the cultural development fund to restore the Gala Bingo hall in Kettering.

Answer from Julia Lopez

I welcome my hon. Friend's interest in the cultural development fund. As the application process for its fourth round is live, unfortunately Ministers are unable to meet bid promoters at present.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to a meeting before 15 March and only expressed support for the bid without providing details on how it would be assessed or supported.

How: As The Application Process Is Live, Ministers Are Unable To Meet Bid Promoters At Present.

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Q2 Philip Hollobone Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Two individuals from Kettering have submitted a £2 million bid to repurpose the former Gala Bingo hall into a community arts, music and family hub.

Question

Two remarkably talented and enthusiastic individuals from Kettering, Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins, have put together a really ambitious £2 million bid to repurpose the former Gala Bingo hall in Kettering High Street, changing it into a community arts, music and family hub, which will be transformative for Kettering town centre. Expressions of interest in the Department's cultural development fund must be submitted by 15 March. Is there no way that I, Beccy, Lindsey and the council can meet the relevant Minister before 15 March to see whether our bid might be appropriate?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I congratulate the two women who are putting forward such an exciting and interesting bid for that important building on Kettering High Street. I spoke to my noble Friend Lord Parkinson, as his ministerial brief covers this topic. He is happy to meet and look into the issue, but there is a question about the appropriate timing for that meeting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not commit to a specific meeting date before 15 March and only mentioned that Lord Parkinson would be willing to meet without providing details on how it would impact their bid's eligibility or feasibility.

How: There Is A Question About The Appropriate Timing For That Meeting.

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