Acton Arts Project now hope to open some time next year

Acton Old Library

A planning application has been submitted to Ealing Council for a two screen cinema and community hub in Acton.

Acton Arts Project’s (AAP) proposal would see the conversion of the ground floor of the Old Library. The main library space would be turned into the cinema and the former junior library space and news room would be converted into a café bar open to cinema users as well as the community. There would be no alteration to the exterior of the existing building.

They plan to work with Art House Crouch End, independent cinema operators, and screen matinees and an evening schedule. Interest has also been expressed by film producers for use of the facility for preview screenings and premieres.

Subject to approval and the prevailing arrangements on social distancing, they are now planning to open next year.

The cinema and associated facilities would support 15 full time employees. The proposed opening hours for the cinema and community hub are 9am to midnight Monday to Friday and 9am to 11pm on Sundays.

Proposals for the first and second floor, old library accommodation and the western stairway and other space including the lift are excluded from this application. It is hoped that eventually repurposing of the upper floors for educational use will provide a further boost to the daytime economic activities on the High Street

A meeting of Ealing cabinet last year selected AAP as the preferred bidder for the site and the move gained the unanimous support of councillors. AAP has raised funds through crowd funding, private donation and through business partnering of the cinema operation.

You can support the project financially by registering with easyfundraising. When you do this every time you order from one of the participating shops and suppliers, including names like Sainsbury’s, John Lewis and Aviva, they make a donation to AAP.

AAP are also supporting Spacehive and Ealing Community Aid in fundraising for 'Ealing Reach Out To All' by allowing their accounts to be used to process their funds to set up a freephone number for anyone in need of help in the area.

Acton Arts Project (AAP) is a community interest company was specially set up to move this project forward. It is formed of seven local residents and comprises a cross section of the community, with diverse professional backgrounds and social interests. Their vision is to establish a destination leisure facility in the heart of Acton High Street.

June 15, 2020