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The following details the main themes of the responses received during the recent Gloucester Park Bandstand Consultation.
Option 1 - Existing Bandstand - Restored
Respondents choosing Option 1 (23%) mainly felt that:
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The existing bandstand provided continuity with the past
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That it is part of Gloucester's heritage.
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That too many of Gloucester's fine old buildings are being destroyed.
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Many respondents had childhood memories of events on the bandstand (e.g. Sunshine Corner).
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They also felt that the raised platform of the existing bandstand would allow more of the audience to view the events.
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The 1930s style was unusual and should be preserved.
Option 2 - Existing Bandstand - With Alterations
Respondents choosing Option 2 (9%) mainly felt that:
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This was a good compromise.
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It would keep the traditional style and essence of the 1930s bandstand whilst being more flexible for the range of uses.
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It would bring a modern twist to the existing building.
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It was good that disabled access would be easier to achieve with the lowered floor level.
Option 3 - New Victorian Style Bandstand
Respondents choosing Option 3 (46%) mainly felt that:
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The Victorian style was in keeping, both with the park and with the residential buildings surrounding the park.
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The style offered the best solution to retaining heritage links, whilst creating a new spacious, usable & practical performance space.
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They liked the openness of the structure, which allowed clear views and discouraged loitering.
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The design was attractive and robust against potential vandalism.
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It was worth spending extra money on this option as it would be of better quality than the other options and had a good projected lifespan.
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The black bandstand metalwork would blend well with the other park ironwork.
Option 4 - New Tensile Structure
Respondents choosing Option 4 (22%) mainly felt that:
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It was time to look forward to the future and choose a design that would suit modern needs. Takes the park into the 21st Century.
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The tensile was spacious and flexible and could be used for a wide range of events.
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Kept within the original budget, so no extra funds were needed.
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Good disabled access from level floor a real bonus.
Negative feedback:
Option 1 - Existing Bandstand - Restored
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Existing is an eyesore / ugly / hideous / shabby / impractical / dated.
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Cost is too high/not good value for money.
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Not practical.
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Doesn't fit with the new design around it.
Option 2 - Existing Bandstand - With Alterations
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The building is dated / old / dull / ugly.
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Should keep the higher platform area.
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Cost was too high/seems a waste of money.
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Destroys the architectural balance of the existing building
Option 3 - New Victorian Style Bandstand
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Low floor level will prevent the audience from seeing the performers.
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It was a poor pastiche of an historic style.
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The style is not forward looking
Option 4 - New Tensile Structure
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Tensile is ugly / hideous / a joke / too modern.
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Low floor level will prevent people from seeing the performers.
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Will be vandalised and quickly made dirty/hard to clean.
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Cheap and tacky option - Council always goes for the cheap option.
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Maritime theme is not relevant or appropriate to the park.
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Doesn't fit in with the style of the park.
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Doesn't look like a bandstand.
General feedback
Some respondents felt that:
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The text of the leaflet was biased towards Option 4 (as it had no negative features identified in the leaflet).
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The cost of all options was excessive (e.g. in comparison to the cost of building a house).
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The estimated life spans were not accurate.
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The decision had already been made once to keep the bandstand, when previous Cons. Area application to demolish was refused in March 2006.
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More seating was needed around the bandstand.
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Regular concerts & events were vital for any of the options.
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'Option 5' - some respondents did not wish to see any of the options on the bandstand site. Instead they felt that having no covered area there would be the most appropriate solution. Several suggested that using temporary staging for events would be the best way forward.
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Many respondents said that they were regular users of the park and they were very pleased with the improvements to date.
Last Updated 20/11/2006
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