Alexandra Palace is a step closer to securing its future as a “treasure for the whole borough” after lottery fund chiefs unanimously decided to award it more than £800,000 to get its restoration plans off the ground.
Duncan Wilson OBE, Chief Executive of Alexandra Park and Palace.The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced it was awarding the Palace £844,800 in development funding – the biggest show of confidence in the venue’s future in living memory.
It will allow Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust (APPCT) to draw up detailed multi-million-pound plans, which include bringing the dilapidated Victorian theatre back into use and turning the former BBC television studios into an historical and educational visitor experience.
It is hoped HLF will throw its full support behind the scheme once detailed plans are worked up, and grant the Palace a further £16.8million for the construction work, planned for completion by mid-2017.
If successful, the funding will make up the majority of the £23.9million “masterplan” to transform the eastern end of the Palace, opening the most historically significant, but currently derelict and inaccessible, parts of the building to the public. A new ice rink and hotel also feature.
The theatre will have an “as found” feel once refurbished. Picture: FarrellsTrust chief executive Duncan Wilson (right) called the annoucement a “significant moment” in the future of Alexandra Palace, which has been dogged with uncertainty and mismanagement since the devastating 1980 fire. Haringey taxpayers have propped up the ailing operation for years, and a failed deal in 2007 to create a hotel and casino ended in embarassment in the High Court.
Mr Wilson said: “Finally we can plan with confidence to bring back to life the glorious Victorian theatre and the historic BBC television studios.
“The ‘People’s Palace’ in its entirety can now become a reality and we are thrilled that the HLF have endorsed our plans for its future.”
New management has set the Palace on track to become self-sufficient by bringing all parts of the Palace into use.
The award is the first step in this process and Matt Cooke, chairman of the APPCT board, said it was a “testament” to the efforts of Mr Wilson and his team.
He added: “This HLF funding will not only re-open derelict areas to full use and access, but will give a massive boost to the whole-site regeneration of one of London’s most exciting buildings.”
Cllr Claire Kober, Haringey Council leader, added: “Opening up the stunning theatre and BBC studios to the public would be the start of a new chapter in the Palace’s life as a treasure for the whole borough and further cement its position as a destination for Londoners.”