Dear Supporters, Apologies for the break in updates. The following comes from the East End Preservation Society's Facebook page (with acknowledgements): 9th January 2015 The present owners of this building acquired it in July 2013, aiming to develop the underused former department store and reinstating its iconic status in Whitechapel by providing commercial space and job opportunities. A change of use application was approved by the Council in November 2013 and was considered by them to be the first step towards achieving these objectives. It can be seen here: http://planreg.towerhamlets.gov.uk/…/showCaseFile.do;jsessi… Following on from this, the condition of Spiegelhalters at 81 Mile End Road was identified as a concern by the Council and our Planning Enforcement Team sent an initial warning letter regarding the condition of the building to the owners last April. The letter was seeking to ensure that works to secure and tidy up the building were undertaken. It referred to the possible service of a Notice under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which allows the Council to seek specific remedial works undertaken by owners / occupiers where the poor condition of a building is considered to be having a detrimental effect on the amenity of a local area. Council officers have since been in pre-application discussions with the owners of the site, of which Spiegelhalters forms a part, regarding their overall proposals for the buildings. It was anticipated that the amenity issues resulting from the disrepair of Spiegelhalters would be resolved as part of this process, and the pursuit of a 215 Notice was put on hold. However, these discussions have not progressed to application stage, and there is continuing officer concern regarding the condition of the building. I have discussed this with our Planning Enforcement Team and they will be pursuing the condition of the building with the owners. In terms of any threat to this building, officers regard Spiegelhalters as making a positive contribution to the character of the Stepney Green Conservation Area and should be protected both in its own right and also because of its significance as an outstanding example of the development and character of Mile End. Officers are keen to ensure that it is preserved within proposals for the development of the wider Wickhams Department Store. The Stepney Green Conservation Area Character Appraisal which describes the area overall can be seen here: http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/…/…/character_appraisals.aspx More to follow shortly . . . Thanks for your support and keep spreading the word! David