Crystal Palace Cinema Campaign

bosie · Post by **bosie** » 22 Jun 2009 16:34

Hi I hope you don't mind me posting about something outside of Sydenham but I think for some of you this may be of interest.

A while ago some residents of Crystal Palace and surrounding areas got together on virtual norwood and wrote to the Picturehouse cinema group (CityScreen) to make them aware of the need for a cinema in Crystal Palace and a potential site - the Gala Bingo site. Picturehouse were very interested and have been in negotiations with Gala ever since. They want to purchase the site (which Gala closed on Sunday) but along came a large evangelical church from East London with large reserves who have outbid Picturehouse.

last weekend over 85 got together outside of the Gala bingo site to protest against a church and for a cinema (there were about 40 people the week before) and a couple of articles have been written in the local papers, which has been great for raising awareness and getting people interested.

There has been lots of support for a cinema in the local area but we are also aware that a cinema would also benefit people in surrounding areas such as Sydenham, Penge, West Norwood, Dulwich etc and so wanted to raise awareness of the campaign.

Apparently contracts have been exchanged now with the church (not 100% confirmed) and if that's so then the next stage of our campaign is to focus on defeating any planning application for a change of use so that a church can't open on the site.

We have nearly 200 people who have joined the facebook campaign for a cinema in Crystal Palace, the details are below. If you would like to have a cinema nearby please join the campaign, comment on the article in the local guardian or visit virtualnorwood.com/forum for more information.

Join the campaign for a Cinema in Crystal Palace http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9 ... 3895723250

Comment on the Guardian Article
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news ... tal_Palace_/

Thanks
Bosie

davegr · Post by **davegr** » 22 Jun 2009 17:22

A cinema in Crystal Palace would be excellent.

We need another church like we need a hole in the head. Isn't there a rather odd religious group just a little further down the road? I see them walking around dressed in white with bare feet all the time.

Chazza · Post by **Chazza** » 22 Jun 2009 18:02

A cinema would be great, especially a Picturehouse; a church would be of no use for 99% of people in the area.

simon · Post by **simon** » 22 Jun 2009 20:38

Shame about the bingo though. Smoking ban and the Gambling Act have slaughtered a harmless social event for working class women all over the land.

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 22 Jun 2009 22:05

A cinema would be fantastic. I used to go to the picture house in Greenwich. It was excellent.

I'm in for it. Where do these happy clappy churches get their money?

Shame we don't still have the cinema instead of the rather unlovely Somerfield building.

Is there anywhere in Sydenham we could possibly have a cinema? The sorting office? The old blind shop? What about the old nightclub around the back of Cobbs Dept store?

ALIB · Post by **ALIB** » 23 Jun 2009 09:40

The naborhoood centre is the perfect sized building to be a cinema (at least on a part-time basis)
This would bring in much-needed revenue.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » 23 Jun 2009 09:44

The naborhoood centre is the perfect sized building to be a cinema (at least on a part-time basis)
This would bring in much-needed revenue.

There used to be a cinema on that site, so quite appropriate! But I wonder how financially viable it really would be.

sydenhamboy · Post by **sydenhamboy** » 23 Jun 2009 13:39

A picturehouse cinema would be the making of sydenham. The one at clapham is superb. But it would be brilliant in Crystal Palace. It would serve the community fabulously. Guess the argument is so 'should' a church - but realistically that will only serve a small, particular segment of the community. I sometimes think the 'people' don't really get what they want sometimes around these parts.

bensonby · Post by **bensonby** » 23 Jun 2009 14:41

unfortunately "the people" often don't have funds etc. petitions and campaigns are pretty meaningless unless there are businesses that are willing an able to outbid opponents...

leenewham · Post by **leenewham** » 23 Jun 2009 15:01

Campaigns like the one that stopped the greyhound from being demolished? Or the one that stopped Crystal Palace Park from being built on? Or the one that got McDonalds to totally change the way their store looking in Hampstead?

If you don't try, then it wont happen. Campaigns by local people are good. They don't always win. But it's definitely worth trying.

bensonby · Post by **bensonby** » 23 Jun 2009 15:08

I don't doubt that. But protecting buildings or getting an existing business to change is one thing....bringing in new money (when they have already been outbid) is another...

Lois · Post by **Lois** » 25 Jun 2009 02:05

I love the idea of a cinema within walking distance but wouldn't parking and traffic flow be a problem for those coming in from outside?

Chazza · Post by **Chazza** » 25 Jun 2009 10:56

Lois wrote:I love the idea of a cinema within walking distance but wouldn't parking and traffic flow be a problem for those coming in from outside?

It doesn't seem to be a problem for the Ritzy in Brixton. CP is similarly well-served by public transport.

IanW · Post by **IanW** » 25 Jun 2009 11:27

Hello Everyone,

An on-line poll has been set up to measure the support for the 'a cinema for crystal palace' campaign.

Please show your support at:
http://www.petitiononline.com/acfcp/petition.html
and please spread the word.

Cheers,
Ian.

Post by **admin** » 25 Jun 2009 12:16

IanW - are you aware there is a film strand in the upcoming Sydenham Arts Festival: http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.com/events_film.html

Might be worthwhile to lobby the organisers to support your campaign.

Admin

IanW · Post by **IanW** » 25 Jun 2009 16:22

admin wrote:IanW - are you aware there is a film strand in the upcoming Sydenham Arts Festival: http://www.sydenhamartsfestival.com/events_film.html

Might be worthwhile to lobby the organisers to support your campaign.

Admin

Thanks for this great suggestion. I've already checked the festival events whilst in the dolphin last week. Weather permitting we will be at the screening of BoF.

lbere · Post by **lbere** » 25 Jun 2009 16:28

I remember last year a couple of people were talking about looking into setting up a film club along the lines of the one at East Dulwich.

Did anything come of it?

picture-palace · Post by **picture-palace** » 30 Jun 2009 11:59

The film society in Crystal Palace is called Crystal Palace Pictures and tonight are showing Some Like it Hot upstairs at the Black Sheep. It is air conditioned as well.

To be able to go along to catch a film any time you want, consider helping out on the campaign to bring a full time cinema back to Crystal Palace by going to http://www.campaign.picture-palace.org. There you will find facebook and petition links, also resources for those who like to write a stiff letter now and then.

Robin Orton · Post by **Robin Orton** » 18 Aug 2009 13:51

Interesting bit of stirring about this by John Walsh in today's 'Independent' - see http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/co ... 73366.html

SydenhamHillAndy · Post by **SydenhamHillAndy** » 18 Aug 2009 22:58

You may well have done already...but just in case - have you put this on the East Dulwich forum? A very busy forum, and prime target audience for a picturehouse cinema in CP (and will divert them briefly from the traumas of school admissions...).
I wish everyone involved the best of luck with this campaign. when is the next demo? I will try and make it if I can.

Sydenham Town Forum

The Community Voice for London SE26 since 2004

Crystal Palace Cinema Campaign

Crystal Palace Cinema Campaign

on-line poll

Crystal Palace Pictures (and Picture-Palace.org)