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News from Neil Gerrard |
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News from Neil Gerrard |
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Save the Cinema Update
The sorry state of the former EMD Cinema in Walthamstow I have given my support to the long running campaign to save the cinema in Walthamstow. During 2003 I gave evidence at the public inquiry into the Council's refusal of planning permission. I argued that the cinema should be retained, and that the proposed church was not wanted by local people. The strong views that were expressed by many local people and organisations at the inquiry did obviously impress the Planning Inspector, who turned down the appeal. Now the obvious question is what can be done to ensure that the cinema reopens. We know that the church cannot take any more action on the failed planning application, because they did not try to appeal to the High Court, and are now well out of time to do that. The latest news is that the building was put up for sale, with a deadline for bids which has now passed, and that there have definitely been bids put in. We do not know exactly on what terms the church might be prepared to sell the building to someone who was willing to restore and reopen it. It would certainly need a considerable amount of work. We know damage was done by the illegal rave held there a while ago. In addition very little real investment had been put into the building for some years. Without upgrading the facilities there would really be little chance of long term success, and attracting regular audiences again. What is a promising development is that we know that there are now companies who are interested in running a cinema here, everything is going to depend on getting the finances right, and that is really dependent on the terms of any sale deal which might go through. I will continue to work with the Council, and with anyone who is willing to purchase the building to do everything possible to get the cinema open again. Dec 2005
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