Lib Dems Warn Ally Pally TV Studios in Jeopardy

4.01.00pm GMT Mon 16th Oct 2006

Alexandra Palace

The world's first television studios are in jeopardy, warn the Liberal Democrats, as Labour councillor Charles Adje, Chair of the Alexandra Park and Palace Board confirms that there is no long-term protection for the studios in the proposed lease. The proposed sale of the palace to the Firoka group was the subject of a presentation by Councillor Adje at the meeting of the Full Council on Monday.

The television studios at Alexandra Palace were occupied in 1935 by the BBC, and in 1936 the first television broadcasts were made from the site. The lease that could be signed with the Firoka group only requires that the group provide a space for a museum somewhere within the building, not the maintenance of the original studios.

Councillor Bob Hare, Lib Dem Alexandra Palace Spokesperson, comments: "This is the equivalent of losing Stonehenge and replacing it with a fibreglass replica. The television studios are of vast historical importance not just locally but nationally and internationally. It is a crying shame that in their rush to complete the deal with Firoka, there has been no thought given to their long-term survival.

"It is quite clear that Labour are prepared to sacrifice not just Haringey's but world history in their rush to sign the palace over as quickly as possible. The lease will be for 125 years, and we believe that it is our job as trustees of the palace to ensure that the legacy that is Alexandra Palace survives beyond our generation. We must do everything we can to ensure that our children do not regret the hasty decisions that are being made about the future of Ally Pally.

"The Charity Commission will soon start a short, one-month public consultation on the proposals to sell the Palace. It will be crucial that everyone concerned about any aspect of the sale writes in with their view. Get in touch with us by emailing alexandrapalace@haringeylibdems.org to find out more."