Victoria Hall (Ealing)

In 2015 the Council announced plans to sell off the Grade II listed building to a development partner on a long lease.

[1] The plan led to protests by local residents' groups who called for the Hall to continue to be available for use as a public asset.

The Middlesex County Times reported that a public meeting on 25 January 1887 had greeted the launch of the project with cheers and enthusiastic applause.

As Jones notes this had not been fully achieved by the official opening by Edward, Prince of Wales on 15 December 1888: "The only regret we have is that the organ, as shown in the original design, was not carried out: £500 still remains at deposit for this object, and some day we may hope to see it accomplished, when Ealing will take its place, as it should have done years ago, as a first-class musical suburb.

"[7] The hall was made available for hire from an early stage for events such as dances, wedding receptions and political rallies.

The platform inside the Victoria Hall at the west end, which had been accessed from an internal staircase at the southwest, was removed.

[16][17] On 27 November 2019, the Charity Commission published a draft 'Scheme' that would allow the council to sell off the Victoria Hall, which is held by a charitable trust, to a developer.

The report referred extensively to objections by the Friends of the Victoria Hall and blocked the hotel deal unless and until significant changes were made.

[19][20] On 22 March 2021 after further discussion with Ealing Council, the Charity Commission published a final draft of a Scheme for the Victoria Hall Trust.

The court stated that it was not satisfied that the proposed rule changes adequately protected the interests of the Charity and ordered the Commission and Ealing Council to draw up a new Scheme in consultation with the appellants within 185 days of the decision.