The development of the old Empire Cinema site is one step closer after the council announce they have finally issued a CPO in order to buy the land.
Ealing Council has made a compulsory purchase order (CPO) today to enable the development of a £100million ‘cultural quarter’ in Ealing Broadway.
The CPO area includes 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: “We have a development partner, a cinema operator and the necessary permissions to make this scheme a reality. What we don’t have is all the land to deliver the council’s vision for the cultural quarter.
“While we would have preferred not to have needed to make a CPO, the people of Ealing have been waiting for a cinema for six years now. This area needs to be improved. And after all the delays we want to ensure this comprehensive scheme and the benefits it brings to Ealing will be delivered.
“Ealing is west London’s fastest growing town and we are determined to seize opportunities to attract significant investment so we can boost the local economy and create new jobs and homes.
“Ealing is world famous for its film studios and we are keen to build on our proud film heritage by bringing a cinema back to Ealing as part of this exciting cultural development."
Following an agreement entered into with Land Securities last September, the council and Land Securities have worked together to try to acquire the properties within the CPO site by agreement with the owners. The authority has decided to make a CPO to ensure the scheme does not stall if agreements cannot be reached.
The scheme will ensure the long-anticipated regeneration of a large section of Ealing town centre. It brings together a lively mix of cultural attractions including a cinema and performance space, restaurants, shops and homes. It will also enable the creation of a more open, visitor-friendly town centre that links New Broadway, Bond Street and Walpole Park. Altogether the plans will create approximately 350 new jobs.
Although the CPO process is likely to take several months to complete, if the CPO is confirmed by the Secretary of State the scheme is still expected to complete by 2018 in time for Crossrail, which makes Ealing more accessible from other parts of the capital.
Land Securities announced last week that Picturehouse Cinemas has been selected as the cinema operator for the development and will open an eight screen arthouse cinema at the site in late 2017.
The 1,000-seat cinema, which will incorporate the most digitally advanced projection and sound systems to ensure the best film experience, will include a ground floor café-bar, a statement staircase and a bar at first floor.
Land Securities’ Project Director, Riccardo Mai, said: “This is an important and exciting regeneration scheme for Ealing and will provide a fantastic leisure destination, new homes, public space and links to surrounding streets. The council will use its CPO powers as a last resort but it remains ours and the council’s preference to try and reach earlier agreement with the affected parties wherever possible, even after the CPO is made.”
