UK based developer Land Securities is set to receive approval for a £100m Filmworks cinema scheme in west London following confirmation of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) by the Secretary of State.
The new development in Ealing has been planned to set up eight screened cinema with a capacity to seat 1000 people.
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The project also includes development plans for restaurants, shops and homes.
Land Securities development director Jonathan Levy said: “The decision is crucial in allowing us to deliver a comprehensive film quarter that connects Walpole Park with Bond Street and Ealing Broadway, creating a new public square, new shops, restaurants, homes and new jobs in Ealing town centre.”
CPO area for the project will include the site of the former Empire Cinema along with a neighbouring office building, bar and other properties at the site boundaries.
Ealing Council had selected Land Securities for the cultural quarter development around two years ago.
The 1,000-seat cinema will be operated by Picturehouse Cinemas and be equipped with digitally advanced projection and sound systems. The centre will also have a ground floor café-bar, a statement staircase and a bar on the first floor.
Construction works for the development is expected to start from late 2016, with the cinema scheduled for a 2018 opening.
Ealing Council leader councillor Julian Bell said: “Bringing a cinema back to Ealing is the news that everyone has been waiting for. It is a fantastic opportunity that will see a large part of Ealing town centre revitalised with a vibrant cultural quarter, more jobs, new homes and more visitors.
“We were determined to breathe new life back into the site of the former cinema which has been derelict for far too long.”
