Forum Topic

Ealing Cinema Delayed Again

Ealing residents can at least hold out some hope they might get a cinema. The one in Acton isn't ever going to be built like so many cinema projects across London that were promised and never materialised.It is hard to avoid the conclusion that developers include cinemas in proposals to encourage support for a scheme but when faced with the low yield they get on the asset start to have second thoughts. Julian Bell may say he has assurances that the cinema will actually be built but with sales of new flats grinding to a halt and conditions for high street retailers as tough as they have ever been the cash flow for this project looks very shaky.

Andy Jones ● 2928d12 Comments

City AM are reporting the Filmworks flats go on sale at the weekend. Presumably, if the sales go well the cinema will be back on schedule but if they can't shift them then we need to hang on to our Netflix subscriptions!http://www.cityam.com/283973/new-homes-whats-going-sale-weekend-battersea-westminster

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2910d

Just had a response from Cineworld as follows:"My property team are aware of the ECC building in Northfields. However, it is important for our brand offer that we would wait for our new cinema where we will be in a position to present movies in the very best auditoria environment."Very disappointing.

Paul Martin ● 2917d

There seems to be a common thread her - that developers use cinemas as a carrot to get approval for building flats but lose interest in both the flats and the cinema if they can't sell the flats.

Helen Cavanagh ● 2918d

Andy Not everyone knows that Curzon has two arms. One is property acquisition and one is cinemas. It was the property development arm which pulled out of the bid in the end as far as we know.  Not enough guaranteed profit from the sale of most of the building as flats.There is an update on the new community bid on the W3 forum which you might find interesting. Always ready to answer questions and offers of help most welcome. Today we are looking for help with the redesign of a leaflet aimed residents who don't use social media but would love a local arts centre. If you have leaflet making skills and a couple of hours to spare, we could really do with your help.

Maire Lowe ● 2919d

I was unaware there was a chance that the Acton Arts Centre project might actually be getting off the ground again. The last I read about it was on the Acton site back in February and it all seemed a bit vague back then.Although I am really pleased that this is the case and I would love there to be a cinema, there are some misgivings. If Curzon didn't feel they could make a go of a cinema how could a non-specialist group with no direct experience hope to make a cinema viable. Public money probably isn't the answer as I would assume there are restraints as to how much a cinema can be subsidised. Better probably to have a dedicated arts centre ideally with a small theatre as opposed to a cinema.

Andy Jones ● 2919d

Andy, what do you know that the people of Acton don't. There is a community group tendering for an Arts Centre including a cinema at Acton Old Library.  It is only just going out for tender? Or is this another JB done deal?

Libby Kemp ● 2920d

We used to go down the road to Watermans.  When it moves we won't have that option either.  There are sometimes films shown at the Town Hall - anybody been?

Philippa Bond ● 2920d

You could contact enquiries@picturehouses.co.uk but why would you necessarily want Picturehouse to run the cinema? Their prices tend to be quite high.

Andy Jones ● 2921d

Anyone know who to contact at Picture house to float this idea?

Paul Martin ● 2925d

As an interim measure I would love to see Picture House do a deal with the Ealing Christian Centre opp Northfields tube. From my understanding it can still function as a cinema and have on occasion shown the odd movie.Many reasons why this will not happen (including money) but I think with the right deal it could work.

Paul Martin ● 2925d

I am a bit sceptical about the claim made on this site that only two new flats sold in Ealing in the final three months of last year. That would be catastrophic. Things have slowed down a bit and the profitability of the Filmworks development is dependent on the 161 flats being sold. They are not going to finish the project if that would take them 20 years on current rate of sales.

Tricia Arbuthnot ● 2926d

Hard to believe the old cinema closed down in 2008 - ten years. Let's hope it's not another 10 before we get a new one.  We live in hope ...

Pat Kingham ● 2927d