Ealing Liberal Democrats say that Labour are delaying Victoria Hall renovations while the council disagrees.

The Lib Dems believe that the council are "intentionally" delaying because they know if they pull out of the deal to renovate the Town Hall with the developer Mastcraft, Ealing would need to pay it £350,000 plus VAT (£420,000).

Cllr Gary Malcolm, Leader of the Opposition, said: "Liberal Democrats believe that these issues have been dragging on for over five years.

"The Court of Appeal has also asked Labour-run Ealing Council to reverse the current party-political councillor majority to a more independent community focussed majority by increasing independent members from three to five and reducing the councillors from four to three."

In response, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: "The council's priority remains to secure a suitable and sustainable long-term future for Ealing Town Hall.

"The Ealing Liberal Democrats have clearly misunderstood the situation, which is unfortunate as they have a councillor representative on the Victoria Hall Trust, so they are fully briefed.

Ealing Liberal Democrats Cllrs Athena Zissimos, Gary Malcolm and Jon Ball outside Victoria Hall (credit: Gary Malcolm).

Back in September, a court rejected the council's plans to sell off Victoria Hall, but Ealing says the situation is still ongoing.

The council said: "The current situation is that the Tribunal judgement of 21 September 2023 recognised that the proposed redevelopment of Ealing Town Hall as a hotel, public meeting spaces, and democratic space was the only viable option and that the Victoria Hall Trust is presently unsustainable.

"Therefore, the contract that the council has signed with a developer partner to renovate and redevelop the Town Hall remains intact. 

"This has been long-running, but while the courts decide whether or not to allow an appeal of the Tribunal decision, the Victoria Hall Trust is – with the support of the council - actively engaging with the Charity Commission and the appellants to agree arrangements that would implement the Tribunal's recommendations." 

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