As far as I'm concerned this giant telly has failed its screen test (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

As far as I'm concerned this giant telly has failed its screen test

2:53pm Wednesday 27th August 2008

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IN response to Tim Bennett-Goodman (Guardian, August 21), of course critics of the big screen stayed away for its switch-on.

We don't want to watch a giant telly slapped in the middle of an important public space and broadcasting 16 hours a day, so why would we attend?!

Since the switch-on, I can report that day and night the average audience is at most a dozen people, sober by day but predictably the town square drunks by night.

If this is the level of interest in watching the Olympics on it, I'm still doubtful of the merit of having it switched on for such long hours every day.

Events like film nights and local arts broadcasting, yes.

Rolling BBC news headlines and billboard for corporate sponsors, no.

Us “naysayers” would, in fact, love something “positive ever happening for arts and culture in Walth-amstow town centre.” How about an arts centre or a theatre, Tim?

Meanwhile, best of luck with the empire-building – congratulations, so far you have a giant telly.

Caramel Quin, Cleveland Park Avenue, Walthamstow.

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