Black and White a Disgrace

[Ray]

Today whilst going about my normal business I had cause to look into the back of the old Black and White Cafe.

The whole building has not been very "flash" for 40 years or more, and was badly in need of complete refurbishment, but that is no excuse for what has been done here. What a disgrace, it looks as if some person or persons have done all they can to turn the building into a "wrecking only" proposition. Most of the back of the building has been demolished and that part remaining has alternately had the roof removed or the floorboards and supporting timbers ripped up. The western fence has had the wooden posts cut through with a chainsaw and just been allowed to fall over, and left on the ground. As if that was not enough, about six months ago the front verandah which was still quite presentable was removed leaving the building exposed to the weather and looking a real eyesore.

       

       

General views of the disgraceful condition of the rear and interior of the premises. This has obviously been in it's present state for some years, as the depth of the pigeon droppings in the cellar below the fluorescent light fittings will testify.

[adminer]

Perhaps the owners plan to demolish and re-build.  Agree it's not a pretty sight. 

[utegirl70]

Um...you are kidding me, right?!?
THAT is the old black & white cafe?

OMG..what has happened since we left?

I have good memories of that place...so sad. 

[Ray]

It appears that it was bought by a couple who stated that they had great ideas of making it into a Continental Bakery etc. For several years it was closed up and the windows whitened out, with occasional notices stating ever advancing opening dates. Suddenly the owners moved elsewhere and the building was sold in it's present state to a new owner, who likewise has given indications of starting a business there, but that is as far as it has gone with nothing having been done since the new owner took over about 18 months ago, except that he has removed the front verandah and not replaced it, leaving the empty building looking completely trashed inside and out.

To me it's no more than vandalism.

[Luke]

Hi Ray,
I heard the new owner was a Stone Mason business, and they are going to display headstones etc in the shop when its fixed up, I can't wait to go shopping for a headstone, but from your photos, I can not see this being fixed, sad, sad, sad.

[Ray]

Hi Luke,

I had heard a similar rumour, however I dismissed it as it sounds a bit impractical,.. the  market for headstones being what it is.

What really irks me is the fact that the new owner (I presume), has removed the front verandah about six months ago and made no attempt to repair or replace it, leaving what's left of the shop front looking even more dilapidated. I am at a loss as to why the Council have allowed this to happen.

[adminer]

Wow! A stonemason displaying headstones! I wonder if there will be discounts for bulk purchases or a "create your own" option. 

[Ray]

I'll have a number 127 in black granite with gold lettering and a cereal motif in bold relief across the top,... to go please. Just leave the date for the moment...

Y'never know, with the two cellars empty below the shop, he might just have a crypt on site.

[Ray]

Just to complete the photos, here's how the front of the building looks at the moment.

[Susie]

Can't the local council approach the owners and "politely" ask that they do something soon.  If they have no intention of using the building, at least tidy up the front so it at least looks decent.

[Ray]

Hello Susie, I really don't know where the Council stands on this issue. No doubt they are not happy with it, but do they have the legal backing to do anything about it?

The big problem with these types of questions is that even if it is within the Council's jurisdiction,... if the owner refuses to do anything, it would cost a fortune to drag the matter through the courts. Even then there is no guarantee that they are going to be successful anyway.

At the very least, I suppose that they must try every other avenue first.

[hatchbackgirl75]

Wow, had no idea it was that bad inside.

Who's the owner? We'll buy it for $10,000, we'd *love* to have a shop in Jamestown!

[Ray]

I am not absolutely sure, although I have reason to believe that it is a monumental mason from Balaklava. The District council would be your best bet to find out all of the details.

I'm sure that you could use the current state of the building to get some leverage regarding the price. It could be a great shop or pair of shops with a lot of TLC. It is really unforgivable for it to have been allowed to fall into it's present state.

[Susie]

Hi Hatchback Girl,

I'm sure the whole community would love to see someone do something to the "Black & White" disgrace and soon

Someone should be putting pressure on thesupposed current developer to do some work soon.  Maybe a time limit to finish renovations.

What would you propose to do with the site?

[hatchbackgirl75]

We're starting a business from home (computer stuff mostly) in Jamestown next year but the house we'll be moving to is really too small to work from home so, we'd just use it as a shopfront if things go well with the business. Maybe sell office furniture and accessories too, the furniture shop doesn't have much shop or officey furniture.

If we're doing well as the year ticks on and that shop continues to be derelict we probably will try and track down the B&W owners.