Entrepreneur Firoz Kassam’s Firoka has walked away from plans to redevelop Alexandra Palace after more than three years battling to secure a 125-year lease on the London
Firoka’s plans for the complex, which has lain semi–derelict since a fire in 1980, included the refurbishment of the exhibition space, a 120- to 150-bedroom luxury hotel, a restaurant, bars and leisure facilities, including an ice rink, bowling alley, healthclub and crèche.
The Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust, which had backed the plans, said today it had received notification from Firoka that it was “no longer interested in being involved in the future of Alexandra Palace
Firoka’s proposal first stalled in October of last year after a high court judge found the public consultation on the development agreement and lease promised by the government “fatally flawed”.
Heritage campaigner Jacob O’Callaghan challenged the grant of the lease on the grounds that its details had not been seen by the public during consultation.
Last month, the trust vowed that a deal to let Firoka run Alexandra Palace for 125 years was still on track but was being delayed to allow for a report on the condition of the building.
Matt Cooke, chair of the trustees, said new options would now be explored after Firoka yesterday decided to drop its plans.
Cooke said: “Local people and beyond see pure potential in the palace, and we have a duty to Haringey and all of London
