Discovery Of Asbestos Adds £5 Million To The Cost Of Walthamstow EMD Cinema Overhaul

1. Discovery Of Asbestos Adds £5 Million To The Cost Of Walthamstow EMD Cinema Overhaul The main refurbishment work is expected to start this summer, continuing until late winter 2021 or early 2022. However, while a budget of £19,950,000 was agreed for the project in January last year, the building was subsequently examined as soon as this became possible in the spring, when it was realised there were various other issues that needed to be rectified. Those problems included – as well as the widespread presence of asbestos – water damage, pigeon infestation, internal leaks and corrosion to concealed steelwork. As a consequence, the local authority has now approved a heightened £25 million total budget.

2. Nonetheless, council leader Cllr Clare Coghill has continued to express optimism for the project, saying that the venue “will be a major asset, not just for Waltham Forest, but for London and the country because of its heritage and its status.” She also acknowledged, however, that the former cinema was “a site of contention” a decade ago, adding that it remained an “incredibly difficult, important and sensitive location”. High hopes for a site with a remarkable past The one-time EMD cinema – also known during various eras as Granada Cinema, MGM Cinema and ABC Cinema – is a Grade II* listed building. The site at 186 Hoe Street has been associated with entertainment since 1896, when films were first shown there, and the present building – dating to 1930 – was even frequented by Sir Alfred Hitchcock. Certainly, everyone here at Trident Asbestos Solutions wishes the best of luck to the team tasked with overhauling the cinema, and we hope it proves to be a vibrant venue for theatre in Walthamstow once restoration work is complete. As for if you are interested yourself in any of our highly regarded asbestos solutions – ranging from management surveys and air monitoring to re- inspections and audits for Asbestos Removal Contractors– we would be pleased to hear from you. Simply contact us now to request a competitive quotation for the service that will enable you to put your mind at rest. For more information visit our website: www.tridentsurveying.co.uk