Residents in southeast London are campaigning to prevent a historic art deco cinema from being converted into a church. The group Friends of Beckenham Cinema believes the Grade II-listed building in Bromley can continue operating as a picture house if a new operator is found.
Until recently, Odeon ran the cinema, but the chain voluntarily gave up its lease, and the venue is due to close on November 29. The building narrowly avoided a worse fate last October when a fire next door almost reached the cinema.
Campaign forms after conversion plans announced
The campaign group was formed after Citygate Church, the building's owners, announced plans to convert the six-screen cinema into a single auditorium place of worship. Citygate, whose current home is just across the road, has stated that cinema operators were approached after Odeon agreed to terminate its lease, but no offers have been made to take on management of the cinema.
Nicola Ouzman is one of the local residents who formed the group. Her personal connection to the cinema stretches back almost a century. The building opened as the Regal Cinema in 1930, and Ms Ouzman's grandparents had their first date there in the 1930s. She described the building as an "iconic" part of Beckenham.
Petition gains thousands of signatures
An online petition to keep the cinema has received nearly 13,000 signatures and over 16,500 shares. Ms Ouzman said: "I think it comes back to the fact that it just means so much to so many people."
Owen Oakeshott, who also fronts the campaign, said: "We are not anti-faith or anti-church. It's nothing to do with that. It's about preserving the cinema. We have no animus with Citygate and we wish them well in their hunt for a new home."
He added: "To say this is a fait accompli and it can't possibly be a cinema is nonsense."
Church reaffirms no operators have come forward
However, the church has reaffirmed that no new operators have been in touch about taking over the building since Odeon announced it was closing. A representative for Citygate said: "Odeon made the voluntary commercial decision to surrender their lease, which had many years left to run. Other operators have been approached.
"We will supply full documentation on this to Bromley Council as part of the planning application. So far, there is no interest from any other operator."
The church said the larger premises would better accommodate its growing congregation, and it would welcome all members of the Beckenham community to take part in church activities.
An Odeon spokesperson said: "Odeon Cinemas has entered a voluntary commercial agreement with its landlord and will cease operating from the Beckenham cinema at the end of November 2026. The cinema will continue to welcome guests as usual until then.
"We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause. Supporting our team is our number one priority, and we will look to secure roles for as many affected colleagues as possible at our other cinema locations."
