Part of iconic building could be used as a hotel by 2017

Ealing Town Hall could become a hotel, restaurant or conference venue by 2017.

The council is looking for proposals for new uses for part of the grade II listed building and has this week started to look for development partners.

They say the aim is to revitalise and protect the building - saving the cash strapped council millions of pounds in running costs.

The new partnership would mean the Town Hall would be refurbished and future costs of maintaining the outside of the building and the majority of the interior would be met by the new leaseholder.

New uses will enable the function rooms, including the Victoria Hall to be refurbished and made available on an on-going basis for hire by the community.

The remaining part of the building would continue to be used by the council for civic and community purposes including marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, meetings in the council chamber, the Mayor’s Parlour and modest office space for councillors.

The council this week began marketing the Town Hall, offering to lease part of the building.

The council would still own the Town Hall and occupy its eastern wing.

Ealing Council leader Julian Bell said:

“The Town Hall is a stunning building which we are determined to preserve but internally it is in poor condition and we need to give it a secure future in a way which is not a drain on ever reducing council resources.

“The Town Hall has enormous potential and we want it to accommodate a range of community and commercial activities which contribute to Ealing’s economic and cultural life.”

Subject to planning permission, work on the Town Hall could start in spring 2017.

The council will work with local groups who regularly hire the Town Hall to identify alternative places during the building and refurbishment works.

20th November 2015