Former music venue in Greenford under threat

The fate of a former cinema in Greenford which became an iconic music venue is expected to be decided this week.

The Starlite Ballroom, which has played host to the likes of Eric Clapton, The Who and David Bowie, is to be discussed by Ealing planning committee.

Residents want the derelict site on Sudbury Heights Avenue to be turned into a community hub but an application has been submitted which will mean the building will be demolished, to provide a part three, part four-storey building with 39 flats.

Locals from Eastcote Avenue, Allendale Road and Sudbury Heights Avenue attended a demo on Saturday. There was also support from Frank Kilduff, chairman of the North Greenford Residents' Association and members of the Sudbury Town residents Association.

Organisers say they are concerned at the loss of a potential community centre in an area that has few facilities of that kind, the loss of architectural/music heritage that could lead to jobs and increased footfall for traders as well as an increase in residents placing further pressures on local services.

An online petition can be found here:https://www.change.org/p/ealing-council-deny-planning-application-pp-2011-5274-sudbury-house-odeon-parade-sudbury-heights-avenue-greenford-ub6-0na#share

Organisers says: ''If Ealing Council genuinely supports the preservation of music heritage in the borough and wants to regenerate Greenford it will deny this application and take steps to preserve the Starlite Ballroom.''

2nd September 2014