WALTHAMSTOW MP Stella Creasy has urged the church which owns the former EMD building to join discussions over the its future, following the publication of a report which says the venue is key to the regeneration of the area.

Miss Creasy says she has been trying for some time to contact the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God to arrange talks on the iconic Hoe Street building, but has so far been unsuccessful.

But following the publication of a council-commissioned feasibility study, which examined alternatives to UCKG’s plan to turn the theatre into a church, Miss Creasy has called on the church to join negotiations and “be part of Walthamstow’s future”.

She said: "I am really excited by this report. It sets out why the EMD is key to the regeneration of Walthamstow town centre.

"It makes it clear there is a choice we face - be part of that regeneration and the future of the area, or walk away.

"I am trying to talk to all parties involved because that building is integral to the future of Walthamstow.

“The church owns the building and we have to respect that.

“I have been trying to get them to meet with me to discuss working with us and becoming part of the future of Walthamstow.

"I also hope the local authority will also continue to be part of this process."

The feasibility study found the venue is unlikely to generate enough revenue for a purely profit-driven cinema operator to consider investing the millions of pounds needed to carry out essential refurbishment work.

But it said turning the venue into a mixed-use entertainment venue with a cinema included under the control of a charitable could act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area.

The report also said grants could be sought to carry out the necessary work.

The report has also been welcomed by campaigners fighting for the venue to be re-opened as a cinema.

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