Residents have been evacuated and a major road closed in south London following concerns over the safety of a former cinema site.
The former Tower Cinema in Peckham is undergoing emergency work to secure the historic early 20th century building.
Built in 1914, the Tower Cinema entertained audiences for several decades before closing in 1956.
Most of the 2000-seater venue was converted into a car park, while the archway frontage and 100-foot tower structure were retained.
Residents living near the former facility have been relocated to hotels, with parts of Rye Lane not expected to reopen for up to 10 days, Southwark Council has warned.
The local authority said it understood the closure of would have a ‘serious impact’ on local businesses.
James McAsh, the Green council leader, said the situation was ‘deeply disruptive’ for both residents and visitors.
He said: ‘I want to thank people for their patience and understanding while urgent work is carried out to make the former cinema site safe.
‘Our immediate priority is public safety. We are working at pace with structural engineers, Building Control, Highways, TfL and contractors to stabilise the site.
‘An emergency supporting scaffold solution has been installed and contractors are working throughout the weekend to continue the work.
‘We have already arranged hotel accommodation and support for residents who have had to leave their homes, and we will continue to work with them, landlords and insurers so that people are not left without help while it remains unsafe to return.
‘Residents are also being supported to collect essential belongings from their homes where it is safe to do so.’
Buses 36, 136, 171, 436, N89, N136 and N171 have all been re-routed to avoid the area. Peckham Rye station, served by the Windrush line, remains open.
Mr McAsh, who took charge of the council in May, added: ‘I appreciate how disruptive this is, particularly with bus routes diverted and pedestrian access affected.
‘TfL is updating journey information and signage, and we are putting clear diversion information in place so people can move around the area safely. Please continue to follow the signed routes and do not enter the exclusion zone or attempt to pass through barriers.
‘This is a fast-moving situation, but our focus is clear: keeping people safe, supporting those directly affected, helping businesses through the disruption, and reopening Rye Lane as soon as it is safe to do so. We will continue to provide updates as work progresses.’
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