Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julia Lopez and Philip Hollobone

Thursday 22nd February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

5. If she will meet promoters of the bid to the cultural development fund to restore the Gala Bingo hall in Kettering.

[The Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries (Julia Lopez)]

I welcome my hon. Friend’s interest in the cultural development fund. As the application process for its fourth round is live, unfortunately Ministers are unable to meet bid promoters at present.

[Mr Hollobone]

Two remarkably talented and enthusiastic individuals from Kettering, Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins, have put together a really ambitious £2 million bid to repurpose the former Gala Bingo hall in Kettering High Street, changing it into a community arts, music and family hub, which will be transformative for Kettering town centre. Expressions of interest in the Department’s cultural development fund must be submitted by 15 March. Is there no way that I, Beccy, Lindsey and the council can meet the relevant Minister before 15 March to see whether our bid might be appropriate?

[Julia Lopez]

I congratulate the two women who are putting forward such an exciting and interesting bid for that important building on Kettering High Street. In preparing to answer my hon. Friend’s question, I looked at a potted history of Kettering’s bingo hall and I appreciate the important role it has to play in regenerating the town. I spoke to my noble Friend Lord Parkinson, as his ministerial brief covers this topic. He is happy to meet and look into the issue, but there is a question about the appropriate timing for that meeting. I noted the recent debate about levelling up. I hope the bid will be successful, but I am afraid I cannot influence that.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Julia Lopez and Philip Hollobone

Thursday 20th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

We need more full-fibre and gigabit-capable broadband in the Kettering constituency. Can we have it sooner rather than later?

[Julia Lopez]

I welcome my hon. Friend constantly holding my feet to the fire on Kettering’s gigabit capability. He is actually above the national average, with 88% of premises in his seat having gigabit-capable broadband, but I am glad to say that we are doing more. We will be awarding a procurement next year to try to tackle all those bits we have not yet reached.