Copycat Cube gets go-ahead
innovation cube railway station northampton
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And there is every chance that planning bosses in Northampton may have had one eye on a distinctive Corby landmark when announcing proposals for a new small business hub.
Plans for Northampton’s Innovation Cube were unanimously approved by councillors on Tuesday night – and as the artist’s impression shows, the building bears more than a slight resemblance to Corby’s own Cube.
The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation proposed the six-storey building, which will be built on land opposite Northampton railway station.
It has been designed as a home for small businesses and will cost £6.5m, with funding coming from a number of sources including the European Union.
By contrast, Corby’s Cube civic hub cost more than £40m to build and is home to the Core theatre, Corby Council and Corby Library.
The Evening Telegraph asked Corby residents if they thought Northampton was copying the Cube idea.
John McInulty, 73, of Chepstow Road, said: “I think it shows Corby has achieved something before a bigger town. It is nice to be copied for a change rather than copying.
“The Cube is a love-hate thing, I don’t think we will change that, but personally I like it.”
Halima Alexander, 47, of Fulwell Avenue, Gretton, said: “I would say it does look like they are copying it. I think maybe they are borrowing some ideas from it.
“Corby has developed really well and the Cube is a good thing because it has created some jobs.”
John McKenzie, 59, from the Lloyds estate, said: “I don’t think Northampton’s is so high-end looking. The symbol of the cube is like the pyramids – it is a sign of authority.”
Explaining the ethos behind the new cube, WNDC regeneration manager Paul Quinn said: “It says Northampton is ready and open for business and we believe it’s an important step forward for the economic regeneration of the town.
“It’s a bold proposal when the economy is at a low ebb, but we believe the time is right for Northampton.”
Corby Council deputy leader Mark Pengelly said: “The new American Embassy has already copied the iconic Cube and it looks like this is as well.
“You can’t blame them for copying something the people of Corby are really pleased with.
“It is good to see the lesser towns in Northamptonshire are now copying Corby.”
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Comments
There are 20 comments to this article
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dazontheraz
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 03:15 PMthe cube over priced over sold come on there has been far less money spent with far greater results in the town some of which are formidable in turning this into a better town than it already is the cube on the other hand well.......... that's another story needless to say its here now and like it or sugar lump it lets just make sure them same mistakes don't happen again where corby people are paying threw the nose for something the majority of which if new the figures would feel let down with what has been achieved on there behalf
LabourOut
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:19 PMDo you go modern or go classic. Either way you won't be able to please everybody. But what ever you build should be value for money and stand the test of time. Sadly Corby has neither. But what does have is a building that will keep on giving, the giving being bills to Corby Council tax payers.
John Downes
Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 10:53 AMI recently went to a meeting held in the banqueting room in the HQ of Birmingham City Council. The building is beautifully designed - ornate both inside and out. It was built to last. It will probably still be there a century from now. On the other hand, Corby Borough Council's cube is an eyesore. The interior is bedlam. Try using selecting a library book as the town's citizenry tramp up the walkway to pay their bills or claim their Council Tax Benefit. Corby's Cube is like is Corby's new shopping centre: In a decade or two, it will be in tatters. Are these cubiform eyesores with built-in obselescence the best today's architects can muster?
Subcomandante
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 12:04 PMInteresting comment on Look East last night, by the the Homes & Community Agency - buildings such as The Cube, Willow Place, and The Pool have encouraged private investment into Corby. I'm sure LabourOut will have a hissy fit and accuse them of being Labour supporters though, lol!
ManOnTheBlock
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 06:38 PMi thought our Cube copied a sugar lump - only kidding - copying is a form of flattery - lets bask in it - I heard Kettering is planning a similar one for one of there bus stops
Mark Dragilocevic
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:35 PM'LabourOut' - I agree with your comments about the debts left by the national Labour government, but surely you can accept that Corby's Labour-run borough council has achieved wonders for the town centre in the face of a massive economic downturn. Compare Corby's recent progress with that of Conservative-run Kettering. I am no Labour supporter, but surely you accept CBC are at least trying to do something productive.
Ray Rodden
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 01:47 PM@labourout You must be really angry at Corby Borough Council, who happen to have a labour majority, demolishing old tresham and getting a brand new Cinema in exchange. Bet that burst your bubble. Thats progress . PS. don't let the door hit your whinging butt on the way out ;-)
Subcomandante
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 08:54 AM@LabourOut - The Cube project had cross party support, including your dear Tories, old boy. Oooh, did you not know that lol? Still, if the site of our iconic Cube gets you in a hissy fit too often, there's always a train leaving for Kettering every hour, think you'd be more at home there!
LabourOut
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 08:51 PM@ray LOL your SETI computers have more chance of finding intelligent life in outer space than your house. But to be honest Ray you've never asked any questions about the Corby's Cube, you've blindly accepted the propaganda pumped out by CBC and the Labour group. The fact that it delivers a whole lot less for millions more seems to be lost on you. The people that are now paying for it over 50 years are Corby's core Labour supporters.
Ray Rodden
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 02:23 PM@labourout long before the scientist find signs of intelligent life in your arid bonce methinks bahahahahahaha ;-)
LabourOut
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 08:15 PMLOL Corby ahead of the curve. Ha , you mean the upward curve of debt, and climbing. Tell when you expect to finish paying for your Cube Ray.
Mark Dragilocevic
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 05:27 PMThe Cube is an excellently designed building. I think Northampton's planners need to be a little more original for their own ideas though.
Ray Rodden
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 04:27 PMon top of this more good news for Corby. Old tresham coming down next week - CINEMA ON IT'S WAY - WAHOOOOOO C'MON CORBY!
DMT48
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 02:34 PM@LABRAT Most cities already have Labour councils already lol.
il Capitano
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 01:58 PMthe cube development in birmingham came into plan before the corby one by the way. the birmingham one has a lot of unique features mind you that sets it apart from the other ones.
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