St George has commenced construction of the Ealing Filmworks development and confirmed Ealing's long-awaited cinema will be opening in 2019.
Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Julian Bell, joined chairman of the Berkeley Group, Tony Pidgley CBE to celebrate construction starting on the derelict former cinema site opposite the town hall in Ealing town centre. Also attending was Holly Smallman of Picturehouse cinemas who confirmed that Picturehouse remains committed to operating a cinema on the site.
Councillor Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council said:
"This is a very happy day for me and for the people of Ealing. The council promised that we would bring a cinema back to our town centre and despite many setbacks, I am delighted that work is finally starting on making this happen.
"This is a very exciting time. Crossrail means that Ealing is soon going to be more open and accessible to the rest of London than ever before and this development sits at the heart of our plans to regenerate and revitalise the town centre in time for all of the benefits that it will bring."
Holly Smallman of Picturehouse said:
"Picturehouse is pleased to be working with St George and excited to see construction starting on the development. We have been keen to open in Ealing for a while and are delighted that this is now becoming a reality.
As it is some time since we first committed to this development, we are reviewing the cinema design with St George.
We look forward to 2019 when we will be opening the doors of our new arthouse cinema that Ealing residents have long desired."
Michael Bryn-Jones, Managing Director of St George said:
"We are delighted to start construction of Ealing Filmworks today, ensuring that Ealing's long-awaited cinema will be opened in 2019. Vapiano and Planet Organic will also still be accommodated alongside other shops, cafes and restaurants.
We are reviewing the planning permission and will be making some changes in the New Year; reducing the commercial floorspace and increasing the number of homes, including affordable homes.
We are firmly committed to Ealing, having already invested significantly in the town centre at Dickens Yard, where we have delivered over 400 homes. We will soon be announcing new commercial occupiers who will be joining Charlotte's W5."
For further information please contact Camargue:
Jenny Marshall jmarshall@camargue.uk 07921 499 001
Catherine Grindley cgrindley@camargue.uk 07713 394 089