Cinema Site Sale

St George, the developers of the Dickens Yard site behind Ealing Town Hall, have acquired the Ealing cinema site previously owned by Land Securities following a CPO hearing in 2015. It is not yet clear whether the change of ownership will lead to changes in the scheme to redevelop the site, behind the retained facade of the former Empire Cinema and Bond Street in the centre of Ealing, which involved building 161 flats, some shops facing onto a small square and Mattock Lane and an 8 screen cinema. Commenting upon the change of ownership Robert Gurd Chairman of the Society said “we have been concerned for a long time about the delays in delivering a new cinema to Ealing following premature demolition of the Empire Cinema in 2008/9. Under the Land Securities’ scheme the new cinema complex, to be operated by Picturehouse Cinemas, would not have been delivered until 2018 at the earliest. The sale of the site could lead to further delays if the new owners decide to seek changes to the earlier planning consent. On the other hand, we had many concerns about the earlier consent, particularly in relation to the loss of the YMCA building in Bond Street and the frontage onto Mattock Lane facing the Grade I listed Pitshanger Manor which itself is currently undergoing restoration. The change of ownership might lead to opportunities for improvement in these respects.” The press release issued by Land Securities is available here.