Church buys Golders Green Hippodrome after mosque plan blocked

Hillsong plans to hold Sunday services at Grade II-listed former theatre after locals objected to Islamic centre

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.

Hillsong, which until earlier this year counted the pop star Justin Bieber among its members, plans to hold Sunday services at the site. The church operates in 30 countries and has 12 branches in the UK.