Plug pulled on 'telly on a stick': VOTE

Four years after the Big Screen was unveiled in All Saints' Square in a link-up with the BBC, Rotherham Borough Council is in talks about getting rid of it.

Last October, campaigners holding a rally in the square mocked the £150,000 LCD TV as an example of the council's folly.

And jokers wasted no time this week in celebrating the news of its imminent removal by creating a spoof ebay listing advertising its possible sale.

The council's decision to scrap the screen also appears to kill off the idea of a mural of Rotherham's local heroes, which had been earmarked for the back of the big TV as part of a £30,000 scheme.

Among the reasons given by the council for pulling the plug were the poor quality of the picture, limited access to programmes and the potential savings from scrapping it.

A report on a Cabinet meeting where the move was discussed, in a session from which the public were barred, said: "On balance, cabinet members considered that the removal of the big screen and the development of a range of initiatives, to include the town centre, would be the preferred course of action."

It is a far cry from when the screen was unveiled back in November 2005,

when the council's Cabinet member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services, Gerald Smith, said: "I think the whole concept is brilliant. I have seen several screens operating in other towns and cities and they always attract a crowd."

The screen received a mixed reception from the town's residents, attracting a crowd when opera and ballet performances were shown but failing to draw large crowds for football matches.

Councillors were also left red-faced in 2007 when the screen's coverage of the Grand National was interrupted by adverts.

Independent councillor Peter Thirlwall said this week that he and others had been telling the ruling Labour group for some time that the Big Screen was a waste of money that could have been better spent on more essential services.

"It would not be so embarrassing for them to admit it had been a waste of money and should be scrapped if they had not been publicly stating over the years how wonderful they thought it was," he said.

Bramley campaigner Rob Foulds said: "Everyone knows that nobody watches the thing, the picture is rubbish, most of the stuff that's shown is rubbish, it cost a fortune to buy, it costs a fortune to run, it is an eyesore and nobody wanted it in the first place, except of course the 'Rotherham Council Cabinet."

Activist Don Buxton also welcomed the TV's possible scrapping, adding: "This is yet another pile of expensive junk in the long catalogue of failed enterprises forced upon the citizens of Rotherham."

Karl Battersby, the council's director for environment and development services  said: "Rotherham was the only town among several cities to have a screen and it certainly became a talking point with many succesful events being run.

"We are aware that some people did not like it but we have also been thanked by many others, who rated some programmes, such as the opera and ballet, as excellent.

"For a number of reasons, the time was right to evaluate the screen's long-term future.

"The screen was becoming increasingly out of step with the developments around the Minster, such as the enhanced views, the significant investment that has taken place in lighting the Minster and improvements to the Minster Yard.

"We also had concerns about the quality of the screen and its long-term technical viability and did not think it appropriate to invest in a new screen in the context of the council's other priorities.

"The town centre is a priority for the council and its partners and we are committed to improving the environment, supporting existing retailers and attracting new businesses into the town."         

Munir Hussain (45), of Rotherham, said: “It will be disappointing to see it go really. It brought people together, especially in the summer. It will be a shame.”

Val Murray (54), of Rawmarsh, said: “It’s because people are going to Meadowhall instead of hanging around here in the cold, but it is a shame. The area just needs something exciting to uplift it.”

Alan Cooper (18), of Ulley, said that the screen was ruining the town centre. He added: “I think it’s a good idea to get rid of it, it’s a bit of an eyesore, to be honest, and is just stuck in the middle of nowhere.

“Nobody even watches it, there’s no sound and the picture is rubbish.”

Alan’s girlfriend, Louisa Gillatt (18), of Aston, added: “It is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Barbara Bell (70), of Greasbrough, said that other things in the town centre could take the Big Screen’s place.

“Rather than putting this huge thing here in the first place they should have invested in some shops to boost the area a bit,” she said. “Nobody watches it anyway.”

15-year old Reece Bell, who is a regular visitor to Rotherham, said: “I come here quite often and nobody ever seems to be watching it, so I don’t think it will be missed at all.”