Regeneration of King Street moves a step closer to reality

PLANS for a new cinema, offices, restaurant and shops along King Street in Hammersmith – which is planned to completely revitalise the area – have taken a massive step forward.

On Monday December 2, the Labour-run Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s cabinet members approved an £89 million budget for the plans, which will form part of the regeneration of the Town Hall’s 1970s concrete extension and surrounding streets.

A report produced ahead of the cabinet meeting said the scheme, which was given planning permission in February, will be about “transforming King Street into a new civic and cultural destination”.

Here’s the full list of what’s in the works for the Town Hall and King Street:

■ The original 1930s, Grade II-listed Town Hall will be refurbished and its heritage elements restored;

■ A four-screen, 350-seat cinema to replace the demolished Cineworld on the Town Hall site, with room for cafes, shops and restaurants;

■ Public rooftop bar and restaurant, community arts and events spaces;

■ Public space in front of the Town Hall will be freshened up so it can be used for performances and events;

■ 204 new homes, half of which will be available at discounted “affordable” rents;

■ Corporate office spaces, including affordable spaces set aside for start-up companies;

■ Homework areas for children and students;

■ An “eco-friendly” design to cut the council’s fuel bills;

■ Changes after public consultation included a reduction in the height of the new roof extension by one storey.

To deliver the cinema and commercial parts of the scheme, the council has entered into a 50/50 joint venture with housing association A2Dominion.

Included in the £89m overall cost is a £64m budget to purchase the current buildings on site.

The council will use borrowed money to pay for the scheme, as well as millions sourced from fees paid by private developers in return for planning permission over recent years.

An artist’s impression of the new cinema