WALTHAMSTOW: Vital repairs agreed for historic cinema (From This Is Local London)

WALTHAMSTOW: Vital repairs agreed for historic cinema

3:10pm Tuesday 15th March 2011 in News By Daniel Binns

THE owner of Walthamstow's historic EMD cinema has agreed to carry out vital repairs to the building following a council inspection.

Widespread damage to the Grade II listed structure was exposed in February after residents gained access to the property following its occupation by squatters.

Footage and photographs taken inside revealed major damp including flood water, a leaking roof, graffiti and broken windows.

However campaigners believe the squatters only caused some of the damage.

The EMD, in Hoe Street, closed as a cinema in 2003 after it was bought by religious group the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG).

The group has since come under criticism for allegedly failing to maintain the building and has previously been ordered to carry out repairs after debris fell onto the pavement outside in November 2010.

In an email to campaigners, council conservation officer Guy Osborne said he now expected the UCKG to carry out repairs "immediately".

Bill Hodgson, of the McGuffin Film Society, which wants to see the venue reopened as a cinema, said: "We are very pleased the council has acted so swiftly on this matter before any further deterioration could take place.

"While much of the damage was superficial it was also clear that urgent action was needed to deal with the floodwater problem before it caused any long term harm to the building fabric."

He added: "The flooding has now been cleared and water supplies to the building are currently restricted.

"The central heating system is being repaired and further work to remove asbestos is expected shortly."

In his email, Mr Osborne said: "In the unlikely event that the UCKG failed to carry out the necessary works the council would serve an Urgent Works Notice, and if necessary carry out the works itself.

"The flooding issue I'm pleased to say was already resolved at the time we visited the site, the pump which removes water having failed, but it is now back in full time operation."

He said the council would carry out another inspection shortly.

English Heritage has also reportedly requested to inspect the building.

The UCKG refused to comment.

The council is currently considering an application from the UCKG to convert the building into a church but no date for a planning meeting has yet been set.

More than 2,000 people have signed an online petition urging the authority to reject it.

Click here to view it.

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