Where Are They Now
Just to highlight the loss of social and leisure bookings at Hamptons, we’ve compiled a detailed list of ex customers (from 2019).
It really highlights how Hamptons has changed in just over three years, and demonstrates the huge loss to the community, community groups and charity fundraisers.
The venue has gone from a true sports and leisure venue, with something for the whole community, to primarily a place of worship with a few sports uses and commercial hires tacked on.
Long Term Tenants
Roamers Caterers, European Buddhist Hanmi Association
“The EBHA ran twice weekly meditation sessions (open to anyone), and the room also could be used by visitors (free of charge) as a safe quiet space, just to sit and escape the outside world”
Hamptons Ex employee
EBHA meditation classes.
Dance classes
Bam Bam Boogies, Modern Dance Section (MDS), The Jive Club, Salsa Chillout, Friday Tea Dance
“For many in our community, especially those who are aged 60+, Hamptons is synonymous with Marconi and both are synonymous with dancing.
The Tea Dances had been running for at least 20 years. The dance floor in the main hall is probably the largest sprung dance floor in Essex”
Ex Friday Tea Dance member
Social Uses
Members Bar, Terrace Bar, Bingo, MDS Dance Social (monthly), Salsa Chillout Social (monthly), The Jive Club Social (monthly), NYE Members Party (Terrace Bar), NYE Party (Main Hall), Hamptons Annual Dinner and Dance, Hamptons Christmas Dinner and Dance, Essex Yeomanry Band Christmas Concert.
The Jive Club in full swing.
Public/Privates Hires
Chelmsford Militaria, Rotary Lunch (weekly), Boxing, Wrestling, Comedy Club, Essex Yeomanry Band (monthly), Cavaliers Dinner (monthly), Marconi Veterans (annual reunion lunch), Live Bands, Mind, Body and Spirit Festivals, Chelmsford u3a, Conquerors Netball Presentation, Rotary Annual Quiz, Havens Hospice Annual Quiz, Inner Wheel Annual Quiz, Britain’s Got Talent auditions, Dance competitions.
“The Militaria Fair used to be a really busy day for Hamptons, the bar was always packed, and I can remember on one occasion selling over £300 worth of bacon rolls”
Hampton’s Ex employee
Celebrating Life Events
Christenings
Birthday Parties
Wedding Receptions
Funerals/Wakes
“The club really catered for the whole local community, from the cradle to the grave”
Hampton’s Ex Employee
The customer is always right !
The business is currently reliant on hires funded by the public purse, like the NHS Blood and Transplant service and Essex Activate (who fund the faith based kids holiday club).
Replacing established social activities with the daily use of the venue primarily as a place of worship and a faith school (for 6 of the 7 days), is hardly likely generate income or custom from the wider local community.
Great Baddow needs a sports and leisure facility not a place of worship, and Hamptons is just simply not an appropriate location for one, given it’s proximity to the large residential development.
What really matters to the owners now ?
Saving the business
Providing a sports and leisure facility for the whole community
Creating the biggest mosque in Essex
And the answer is obvious to us !
KBO