Planning for the WSC has started. Create a sentence that includes the words 'horse', 'flog' and 'dead': [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/planning-begins-for-a-world-shakespeare-campus-in-stratford-54427/[/url]

There have been rumours going around for a while that the District Council is making life difficult for other towns in the area by dumping a load of red tape on them, because they're doing a better job of attracting visitors than Stratford.

Stratford's a one-trick pony, heavily dependent on tourism fuelled by interest in Shakespeare himself. It should feed the cultural interests of the visitors, not try to be a glitzy funfair town with Shakespeare himself being a minor interest. Dumbing down is often counterproductive.

I'm becoming less convinced by the viability of these projects by the day. It might just be me, but Stratford seems to be haemorrhaging visitors: [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/shakespeare-hub-moves-a-step-closer-51126/[/url]

The project's been given a pile of cash: [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/stratford-gateway-project-to-be-given-multi-million-pound-kickstart-50830/[/url]

Just found an old thread on this topic, and merged it with this one. The Stratford Gateway/World Shakespeare Centre's been on the books for nearly a decade, and something's only just happening: [url]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c88z3z5p7e8o[/url]

Another white elephant for the zoo?

The Greg Hall on Henley Street is safe from the themeparkification of Stratford: [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/st-gregorys-hall-in-stratford-safe-from-demolition/[/url]

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is taking over an empty shop next door to its HQ. Stratford really is turning into a one trick pony: [url]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-67704914[/url]

The only winners will be the property owners who stand to make a fat pile of cash from selling up.

If you really believe in public consultations. My experience is that they are only ever 'quoted' when they go in the direction that those in power (or those funding) want them to go.

The consultation is now upon us: [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/stratford-gateway-public-consultation-is-now-open/[/url]

Some halfwit's decided that moving the coach drop off point to Rother Market's a good idea (for added 'wow factor' for tourists arriving in Stratford). The town's jammed up enough already without dumping tens of coaches in the already crammed streets: [url]https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/coach-park-controversy-as-stratford-gateway-plans-sent-out-for-public-say/[/url]

The land 'needed' for the 'World Shakespeare Centre' is up for grabs. I suspect the owner's in for a nice payday, and the people of Stratford District are going to be paying for this white elephant for decades: [url]https://www.stratford-herald.com/news/crunch-meeting-to-decide-future-of-multi-million-pound-strat-9238781/[/url]

Haha!

[quote="Lex"]They don't want the Earl of Oxford or Francis Bacon taking the credit![/quote]

Now that might provoke an interesting discussion. :) :) :)

[quote="rebbonk"]As far as I know, nowhere else claims Shakespeare?[/quote]

They don't want the Earl of Oxford or Francis Bacon taking the credit!