REGARDING RF Cooper’s recent letter, which jointly lambasts the Civic Society’s role and invites it to acquire and run the Odeon, I am happy to respond with good news.

The correspondent will feel reassured when I reiterate that the purpose of the ACV process was so that the Civic Society would, at any such time the building was sold by its current owners, have the option of triggering a moratorium on sale in order to raise funds to bid for it.

Secondly, on the question of feasibility, he or she will certainly be pleased that positive steps are being taken in this direction, and are only slowed by the need to raise funds for such activity, for which we should of course welcome the correspondent’s donation.

Also, for reasons yet unknown, there is a palpable lack of council engagement with even the suggestion of an alternative use which might provide more leisure/culture facilities for the town.

And, yes, conservation-led schemes take time, but the rewards are far greater than short-sighted, profit-hungry destruction of heritage assets.

On the role of the Society, RF Cooper might not be aware that we work voluntarily and, among our Committee and members, benefit from a wide skill-set which provides a successful and welcomed advisory service to the ‘already cash-strapped council’ at no cost to the taxpayer.

JAMES WEIR

Heritage Officer, Bournemouth Civic Society Queens Park West Drive

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