Land Securities, Ealing Council’s partner in the plan to redevelop the “cultural quarter” in the town centre, are hoping to acquire the Empire Cinema land from receivers appointed by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), who now control the site.
The receivers, Allsops, have been refusing to discuss a sale to either LandSecs or the council, in the hope that a speculative bidder might appear. However it is thought that the Council’s insistence that it will go ahead with a Compulsory Purchase Order may soon result in a negotiated deal. This would mean that a new plan could be on the table as soon as the summer.
CEPAC has already had an initial meeting with LandSecs and is seeking an early discussion with their architects.