OVER £10,000 worth of pipes from the classic Compton organ that graced the State Cinema in Grays has been stolen.
It was originally reported in July that only £100 worth of materials were stolen from the Grade 2 listed building but now it has been revealed that the real cost is over £10,000 as over 300 pipes from the organ were ripped out and stolen.
The theft has come as a hammer blow to the Save the State Cinema campaigners but they are also very angry.
Spokesperson Peter Hammond said: “We warned the owners (TSP), Thurrock Council and the Development Corporation (DC) that unless their is tighter security then this would happen.
“We are furious that despite our numerous pleas to the DC to ensure the building was made more secure this has fallen on
deaf ears with known reports of at least 4 to 5 incidents of break ins over the last few months…. you would have thought that this would tell them something of the lack of care and security of the site??
“Last week the building was made much more secure, but rather much too late, as we have discovered, following the death of the caretaker we requested 24 hour security, yet nothing was done, and cctv only covers part of the building.”
Along with the State’s original organ pipes the thieves took light fittings off, hand rails, door handles and plates
on.
This was one of only four original Compton cinema organs left in their original venue and the State was the only one of these left
unmodernized.
Scrap metal dealers in the area have been put on alert but some have reported that the pipes would only be worth less than a thousand pounds for scrap.
Not surprised.
I have been waiting for it to accidentely burn down.
TBC arn’t interested in restoring it. Morrisons would love the extra space!
knock it down before it falls down.
Very synical view jmw but i totally agree. As for you rocket1 why dont you shut up?
The State sums up regeneration in the Borough high hopes but always tomorrow. The Organ should be taken out and preserved hopefully in Working Condition. As to the Building,,,, There is no political or Community / Business will to redevelop.
State Cinama has been let down by everyone,
1. Knock it down for shoe box sized housing (crap Idea)
2. Build another discount shop or betting shop in Grays (Crap Idea)
3. I thought morrisons told the council they were going to look after it?
4. The local government dont give a S”t about it or the people they represent that’s clear.
Ask how much TSP properties want for the building if they want 500.000 maybe we could talk. If they want more tell them to burn it and claim the insurance money. it’s a recession.
Why not clamp down on TSP properties they only wanted the building to make a quick buck off it. fairy cakes will they restore it. its not profitible for them. Turn it into flats and make a million out of it.
Ok Jim said knock it down before it falls down, well maybe it will be burnt down (I am a cynical) o’h Hi its been a long time Jim.
The State cinama fiasco somes up thurrock I’m leaving this waste of a borough