The Hippodrome, which closed its doors as a theatre in 1968, was home to the BBC concert orchestra until 2004. Hillsong would use the building as a church on Sundays, whereas the Islamic centre had applied to be open from 8am until 11.30pm every day. вЂњFor the vast majority of local residents this was never about the user but the use,вЂќ he said. вЂњWe recognise the significance of the building to the community and look forward to playing our part by adding to the work of local churches and charities through our social action programme,вЂќ a spokesperson told Jewish News.ДЄlan Jacobs, of the Golders Green Residents Environment Group, which led the campaign against the mosque plan, said the organisation was pleased there was a resolution to the HippodromeвЂ™s future. Hillsong said it aimed to be вЂњa positive influenceвЂќ in the area. Lawyers for the Islamic group had written to the council claiming religious discrimination.

In July this year Barnet council deferred a decision on Markaz El Tathgheef El EslamiвЂ™s proposal. A minority went further, suggesting that a Muslim presence in the neighbourhood could be dangerous and was undesirable. It paid ВЈ5.25m for the Grade II-listed building and planned to use it for conferences, seminars, youth activities, English-language classes, after-school clubs and prayers.Д«ut some residents objected, saying it would cause traffic congestion. The Golders Green Hippodrome, where Marlene Dietrich, Laurence Olivier, Vera Lynn and Status Quo performed, had been owned since 2017 by Markaz El Tathgheef El Eslami (Centre for Islamic Enlightening). The church operates in 30 countries and has 12 branches in the UK. Hillsong, which until earlier this year counted the pop star Justin Bieber among its members, plans to hold Sunday services at the site. An international megachurch whose founder has been accused of concealing child sexual abuse has bought a renowned former theatre in north London after a campaign to prevent it from being converted into an Islamic centre.

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