Top 100 law firm Birketts has completed, on behalf of Hope Church, the acquisition of the former Odeon cinema building in the centre of Ipswich.
The cinema, which was built in the early 1990s, has been empty for 13 years but will now become a new place of worship for Hope Church, which is currently based in Fore Hamlet and has outgrown its premises.
As well as creating a facility to host its growing congregation with a large auditorium and rooms for kids work, Hope Church plans to create a community facility that will serve the town well all through the week, and a become a hub of activity.
Birketts advised on all legal matters and Keith Andrews, a Senior Associate in Birketts’ Commercial Property Team, led the transaction.
Ian Little of Hope Church added: “We are grateful to Birketts for their support. Hope Church has been in Ipswich for over 25 years and we are aiming to make a full move from the Orwell Centre to the former Odeon cinema in September 2019. We’ve a vision to refurbish this building to create a superb centre for the church and a facility that will be a blessing to the town of Ipswich.”
Keith Andrews concluded: “This well-known building within Ipswich has been derelict for a number of years. I am delighted that we were able to support Hope Church in the first step of their ambitious vision.
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The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at September 2018.