900 people sign Walthamstow cinema petition ten years ago this week

More than 900 people have signed a petition in an attempt to prevent a historic cinema building being converted into a church.

Gerri Ellis, 55, set up an e-petition against the conversion of the former EMD in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, on Waltham Forest Council's website.

The petition has been signed by 946 signatures in two weeks.

It says: “Failure to save the cinema would not only prevent regeneration, but would create a downward spiral of dilapidation in which it would be easier for the council to allow tower blocks, as the area would already be ruined.”

The building was bought by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in 2003 and has remained closed ever since.

UCKG has submitted a planning application, but no date has been set for it to be considered.

An independent report commissioned by the council concluded that a revitalised EMD building could act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Walthamstow.

But in a blow to campaigners, it was revealed that the council hopes to do a deal which would see a multi-screen cinema built as part of a development on the adjacent Arcade site.

Miss Ellis said: “I think it's great that we have so many supporters in a short space of time.

“It's a terrible loss if it becomes a church. It has been closed and derelict for so long.

“Walthamstow desperately needs a hub because there is nowhere for people to go for a night life.”

Miss Ellis, a web designer, added: “Everyone I have spoken to seems to love the idea of bringing the building back into use. It has an extremely rich history.”

Bill Hodgson, from the McGuffin Film Society, said: “It is great that this petition has been set up and demonstrates yet again how much public support there is for the cinema's revival.

“We are hopeful they (the council) will listen to the public on this issue.”

The campaign has been supported by a number of celebrities, including Alfred Hitchcock’s daughter, Patricia, and Mick Jagger.