EALING will have a rooftop cinema for the summer, bringing the silver screen back to a borough that has unrivalled links with the film industry.
Business leaders have joined forces with Ealing Council to open up the seventh floor of Springbridge car park until September.
It will be part of a rooftop garden that opens on Wednesday, July 31, and host events organised by open-air cinema group the Rooftop Film Club.
Julian Bell, the leader of Ealing Council said: “This is one of
two projects which we are involved in to bring a cinema back to Ealing, along with films shown as
part of the summer festival.
“It’s another excellent opportunity to enjoy cinema in Ealing and we’re very keen for people to show their love of film by supporting this venture.”
The borough is home to the world-famous Ealing Studios, responsible for some of the best loved British films and for ITV period drama Downton Abbey.
The rooftop cinema is also being spearheaded by Ealing Broadway’s Business Improvement District (BID) group and property management company Land Securities.
Matthew McMillan, chief executive of Ealing Broadway BID, said: “We are trying to link Ealing with the many other leisure activities taking place across west London.
“Ealing has so much going for it and is very attractive, but more people need to be aware of what it offers and this seems to be a great way to make that happen.
“We are delighted to be working with Land Securities and Ealing Council to bring a cinema back to the borough.
“We want to put Ealing on the map as one of London’s
most vital and thriving town centres, by working with award-winning and innovative partners such as Rooftop Film Club.”
The Springbridge screen opens five nights a week from Wednesday to Sunday until Sunday, September 8. The bar opens at 7pm and films are shown between sunset and 11.30pm. For tickets and further information please visit www.therooftopsociety.com .
n Ealing’s former cinema in the Broadway has been derelict since 2008 when work to develop the site by Empire Cinemas ground to a halt.
The council is considering a compulsory purchase order of the site and Land Securities hopes to develop it with a new cinema in situ by 2017.
A public exhibition of the company’s redevelopment plans will be held in Ealing Broadway shopping centre from 2pm to 7pm today (Friday) and 10am to 3pm tomorrow (Saturday)
