Hopes for Hackney Empire pinned on planning decision
the Hackney Gazette, 15th February 2010The future of the troubled Hackney Empire hangs in the balance this week with a decision over plans to redevelop its Sixties office block.
Hackney Council will rule whether or not the sale of the Empire’s Bullion Room building in Wilton Way, Hackney Central, will be able to go ahead at a planning meeting on Wednesday evening (17 February).
Town hall bosses will approve or reject proposals from developer Thornsett Group to demolish the office and rehearsal room complex at the side of the theatre and replace it with a seven-storey building including 25 flats and houses with a new community space and café for the theatre.
Hopes are pinned on the decision as the £4.5 million project would help the Empire pay off debts of up to £1 million before the recession but property prices have since fallen dramatically.
And although the Hackney Empire had its best year yet at the box office last year – its sell-out panto was more popular than ever – it continued to make losses, adding to its spiralling debts.
Hackney council’s planning officers’ report says the Empire’s recovery plan “is predicted upon the income that will be generated by the sale of the Wilton Way premises. Without the income from the sale, it will close permanently, and very soon”.
Hackney council’s planning officers back the redevelopment as a way of raising cash, but they have received 16 objections from residents.
The proposed development would need special planning permission as much of the site is grade two listed.
Laurie Allen of campaign group Hackney Empire Elders said: “We are hoping it will go ahead. The sale of the Wilton Way property will ensure that there are pennies in the pot to promote the forward direction of the Empire.”
Hackney council’s planning sub-committee will decide whether to approve the Wilton Way proposals on Wednesday 17 February at 6.30pm in Hackney Town Hall Council Chamber.
The result is likely to feature in the public meeting onto the theatre’s future secured by the Hackney Gazette and Hackney Empire Elders later this month.
The open meeting will be held in the Empire’s main house from 6.20pm to 8pm on Thursday February 25. Booking will not be required.
Anyone unable to attend the public meeting can email their questions to jennie.jacques@hackneyempire.co.uk by 12 noon on February 24.