I was in Exeter in Devon last Friday, a city of similar size to Wakefield. The centre was absolutely teeming. All the big name shops and stores plus hundreds of small independant outlets. Admittedly the nearest large town (Plymouth) is about 35 miles away, but to see such a thriving area makes me all the more despondent when I see what legacy we are left with in Wakefield.

I actually think that the Market site would be good for a cinema, with all the restaurants and bars around there but it will do to Cineworld what Trinity Walk has done to the Ridings. We will get a new cinema and the old one will end up being another white elephant.

That's my thought as well. We've made this sort of mistake before so why do it again. Like you say if there wasn't one it would be a good place. Then again knocking the old one down and building a new one there would be as well, seeing as it's the biggest eyesore in the City and would do a lot for that area of town. It may encourage more upmarket shops down Kirkgate as well & revitalise the area.

I don't know if it's being printed anywhere but who's funding it, because I'd be surprised if the private sector would risk the money with the Multiplex about 1/2 a mile away. That's in a free parking retail area, with every fast food place goingnext to it and a couple of 'restaurants' and it's not as if you can't fall out and be in a pub in 2 minutes.

You do look a little like victor

Forget the cinema. What about a bowling alley on the site of the old market utilising the existing cinema, more or less. Cineworld could carry on as normal and a much missed facility in Wakefield could be restored. Bowling is big business in Barnsley. No reason why it shouldn't be here.

Previous post should read "utilising the existing building.........."

New thread started with details!

Now that's not a bad idea, used to like going bowling and having a few drinks. I know quite a few have to travel to get a game in nowadays. The old one used to have 2 floors and god knows how many lanes, something smaller would do business in the town IMO.

Bowling alley with a pool hall would be good in that spot.

I think you'll find both Devon and Cornwall being similar where they have thriving cities due to the locations, we've just come back from Devon to and was 15 mins to a local town but to get to a descent shopping area took 45 mins drive so they are bound to be thriving if you want cheaper goods

Ah, but is he as miserable as his posts...

Balne Lane is not a non starter in a functional sense, far from it. All obstacles could be overcome with an committed council pushing it, it's no less feasible than BV or NM in that respect.

That however isn't the problem. The rub is that IMHO the council no more has the will to make this work than they did Thornes, NM or BV. You could give them the perfect site for free and it still wouldn't happen. Until there are big changes at WMDC nothing will happen.