A local group has rallied together to bid for Ealing Town Hall in an attempt to stop the building being sold off and turned into a hotel.
Ealing Council has accepted an application from Ealing Voice to list the New Broadway building as an asset of community value.
An asset of community value is defined as land or property of importance to a local community which is subject to "additional protections" from development, under the Localism Act 2011.
The group of around 40 people has until late September to express their interest in taking over the lease of the building, and is then expected to present plans before February.
Developers Mastcraft has already been chosen to refurbish the building and build a hotel on site - leaving it closed for 18 months before a 245-year lease begins.
But if Ealing Voice, which formed just over a month ago, prepares an alternative proposal the council said it will consider this before entering into a legal agreement with Mastcraft.
'Irreplaceable community asset'
The group's founder, Julian Smith, said: "The town hall has been the heart of the civic administration and community of Ealing for over 125 years.
"Public subscriptions helped to build this irreplaceable community asset which has served us well for many generations.
"If it is lost to a private commercial operator now our community will never be in a position to replace it.
"We have a passionate desire to preserve real community access and improve this vital asset."
Under current plans with Mastcraft, the council will retain the east wing of the building for civic use with part of the west wing will be turned into a boutique hotel.
But community groups seeking to hire the room will be set for an increase in cost - capped at 20% but only for the first five years from its anticipated relaunch in 2019.
'Heart of the town centre for future generations'
Work is expected to start in mid-2017 meaning the building will be closed for around 18 months, during which time services will be moved to other buildings.
Labour Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said: "I am totally committed to preserving Ealing Town Hall, but even after an £800,000 investment it still needs considerable work done to bring it up to an acceptable standard and the council is no longer in a financial position to maintain and run the building.
"It is essential that we find a balance between the community and commercial use of the building to ensure there is a long term sustainable future that ensures it remains at the heart of the town centre for future generations.
"I welcome any interest from local people to find a sustainable long term future for the town hall."
