THE future is looking a lot brighter for Ealing’s cinema as three major developers have put in bids for the troubled site.
Ealing Council has finalised its shortlist of firms who want to invest in the former Empire Cinema, currently little more than an empty building site in the Uxbridge Road.
Present owners Empire demolished the building four years ago for redevelopment. Works were predicted to take about a year but were never completed.
Now, three developers are battling it out for the opportunity to become a joint development partner on the site, alongside Ealing Council, which has already begun the process for a compulsory purchase order.
Land Securities, Salmon Harvester with Cineworld and Wilson Bowden with Barratt have submitted bids, which include state-of-the-art features like Imax screens and 3D digital projection technology. Proposals also include luxury leather seat recliners with menus and push-button chair service.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “I not only want to see Hollywood blockbusters being shown in Ealing again, but also a far broader mix of independent films and events that will attract people from all over London to Ealing.
“The innovative thinking of our three bidders means that visitors will enjoy the very best of a diverse cinema experience, surrounded by the most advanced technology of the digital revolution.”
Mr Bell added that he would like to see the site form a ‘cultural hub’ in the heart of Ealing, as the council looks into the possibility of a mixed-use facility that could extend south from the cinema towards Ealing Studios, incorporating art galleries and performance spaces.
The preferred partner is due to be selected on December 21, after which time plans to purchase the site will move forward.
