AFTER a series of delays to the opening of Ealing Filmworks, it is now expected to open in spring 2022, the council has confirmed.

Work has been underway to build the New Broadway cinema since 2016, as well as more than 200 homes, a public square and a range of restaurants and bars.

But the opening date has been pushed back several times, first from an ambitious early 2019, then pushed back to 2020 and finally an expected opening in summer 2021.

Ealing Council bosses are now pledging for the finished site to open in spring 2022.

An Ealing Council spokesperson said: "The construction of Filmworks has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite the challenges of social distancing for the workforce and delays in construction material from the supply chain.

"There have been some delays in the construction programme due to COVID-19, however the façade of the old cinema has been restored and was revealed in January and the paving works are due to complete in the next few weeks.

"Work has continued on the cinema building and retail units as well as the residential units.

"Construction of the cinema box is well advanced with a target date to handover to Picturehouse this summer for further work ahead of an opening in spring 2022."

Ealing's only previously surviving cinema closed its doors in 2008.

It is planned the replacement Picturehouse cinema will have eight screens and more than 1,000 seats.

The cinema chain has 23 branches in the UK and is owned by Cineworld, which announced the temporary closure of all its sites in October last year due to COVID-19.

It has set no re-opening date so far.