Ealing cinema site 'for sale'
Published 27 September 2012
Developers are invited to submit expressions of interest to work with Ealing Council to acquire and develop the old cinema site in the heart of Ealing.
The successful applicant will partner with the council to acquire the 1.9 acres of land with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) and construct a new cinema complex.
The old cinema has been in ruins for almost four years after the current owners, Empire, demolished it but failed to start building a replacement. After months of repeatedly calling on the company to move the project forward, a decision was made in July to find a new developer.
After entering into an agreement with the selected developer, the council will apply for a CPO, which would force Empire to transfer ownership of the land.
Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the council, said: “We’ve given Empire more than enough time to begin construction and now it’s too late; the land is ‘for sale’. The disused site is an eyesore and we need to bring it back to life. The council is very keen to see this prominent town centre location developed and for the community to have the cinema we’ve all been waiting for.”
Registrations of interest are due to the council by 19 October 2012. The selected developer would have to meet all costs associated with acquiring the land.