£100m Ealing cinema site receives CPO approval

The development of a £100m Filmworks cinema scheme, that will be at the centre of a new Ealing cultural quarter, is finally given the green-light.

Ealing Council has been informed that the Secretary of State has now confirmed the compulsory purchase order (CPO).

The cultural quarter development will include an eight-screen, 1000-seat cinema, restaurants, shops and homes.

The compulsory purchase order area comprises the site of the former Empire Cinema, which closed in 2008, a neighbouring office building, bar and other properties on the boundary of the site.

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Bringing a cinema back to Ealing is the news that everyone has been waiting for. It is a fantastic opportunity that will see a large part of Ealing town centre revitalised with a vibrant cultural quarter, more jobs, new homes and more visitors.

“We were determined to breathe new life back into the site of the former cinema which has been derelict for far too long. Given Ealing Film Studios’ world famous reputation it is fitting that we build on the area’s proud film heritage by bringing a cinema back home.

“Ealing is west London’s fastest growing economy and while we would have preferred not to have needed to make a CPO we simply could not stand back and allow the area to miss out on the benefits that such a development will bring.”

Jonathan Levy, director of Land Securities, which were chosen by Ealing Council to develop the site, said: “We welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order for the former Ealing cinema site and surrounding land, enabling Ealing Council to use its powers to acquire the land needed to deliver Ealing Filmworks and bring the long-awaited cinema back to Ealing.

“The decision is crucial in allowing us to deliver a comprehensive film quarter that connects Walpole Park with Bond Street and Ealing Broadway, creating a new public square, new shops, restaurants, homes and new jobs in Ealing town centre.”

Operated by Picturehouse Cinemas, the 1,000-seat cinema will incorporate the most digitally advanced projection and sound systems, along with a ground floor café-bar, a statement staircase and a bar on the first floor.

Now that the CPO has been confirmed, construction is expected to start late 2016 and could see the cinema opening in 2018.

News of the Secretary of State granting the CPO follows the release of plans for a four screen cinema and library complex in West Norwood, Lambeth, which will also be operated by Picturehouse.

As part of the deal, Picturehouse will transform the council-owned Nettlefold Hall in Norwood High Street into a four-screen cinema, complete with bar and café, which is expected to be open by 2017.