The new state-of-the-art Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2014.
This week, Hammersmith and Fulham Council granted planning permission for the development of the existing building.
Now, the centre’s board of directors are moving to purchase the freehold of the site.
Chairman Jim O’Hara told The Irish Post that plans are being finalised so construction can begin on the building next year.
“It’s not just the future that has been secured, it is the long-term future,” he said.
“We can now look forward to the creation of a new purpose built centre which will allow us to grow and develop our programme of activities and services.
“Very importantly, we will have a new building in a prime location in central London. This will be held in perpetuity for the benefit of the Irish community in Britain.”
The existing centre on Blacks Road will close in March 2013 and construction is expected to take 18 months.
Read the full story in next week's Irish Post
