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Picture this: A cinema for Crystal Palace?

6:50am Tuesday 16th June 2009 in


Could the silver screen be coming to Crystal Palace?

Residents campaigning for a cinema to help regenerate the Crystal Place Triangle got a boost this week when independent cinema chain City Screen confirmed it was interested in opening a cinema in the area.

The for-sale Gala Bingo Hall in Church Road, which was once a cinema before it closed down in 1968, is understood to be the prime target for City Screen, the company behind the popular Ritzy and Clapham Picture House theatres.

But some cinema lovers are concerned the hall may already be under offer from a church looking to set up in the area.

Gala refused to comment on whether any bids had yet been put in for the site.

Many residents are backing plans for a cinema because of its wide appeal, and the economic boost they say it would give to the area.

One cinema campaigner said: “It would just be a fantastic thing for the area and the community. It is crying out for it, and I can’t really think of anyone who would object to it.”

The nearest cinemas to the Crystal Palace Triangle are in Streatham, Beckenham, and Croydon.

Andy Stem, who owns vintage shop Bambinos in Church Road, said: “What happens to the hall is crucial to the fortunes of the triangle. Its a key building. A cinema would provide a community space that everyone would want to use, and also bring new people to the area.”

“It would really help the redevelopment of the area,” he added.

Residents in favour of the cinema met outside the Gala Bingo on Saturday to show their support.

• What do you think? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.

Comments(34)

SE19lee says...
5:21pm Tue 16 Jun 09

Fantastic news. A picture house would fit in perfectly in Crystal Palace, and would play off well wit the local area.

There are so many churches in the area already, And this is such a key spot on the triangle...it would be far better for the area to have a cinema that is used 7 days a week by locals / people from further afield, rather than being a space that is hardly used.

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Huckster12 says...
5:32pm Tue 16 Jun 09

Crystal Palace has become known for its great pubs, restaurants and independent shops. A small cinema would be the icing on the cake.

In such a key setting on the triangle, this business would provide much needed footfall for surrounding trades. Another church servicing people from outside the locale is not what the area needs.

Croydon council's planning department has continued to let down residents and businesses in the North of the borough with its disregard for conservation, change of usage and over development.

Enough is enough!

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CANDE says...
5:33pm Tue 16 Jun 09

A cinema would be a great addition to the area - I would certainly use it regularly.

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eiluj68 says...
5:45pm Tue 16 Jun 09

A cinema to service the whole community rather than (another) church for people mostly outside of the the area would be a far better use for the bingo hall. It would also provide jobs and potentially more business for the pubs, bars and restaurants around the triangle.

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DavidSE19 says...
6:01pm Tue 16 Jun 09

It would be great to have a cinema at Crystal Palace; a niche cinema, like the Ritzy at Brixton, would cater perfectly for local residents.

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Kite77 says...
6:21pm Tue 16 Jun 09

A cinema is the one thing I have missed living in the area. The nearest cinemas from here are really quite far by public transport. I would use it regularly. And having saved on transport, I'd probably eat and drink in the local bars and restaurants before and/or after the show. It's a great idea!

There are a lot of churches in the area already, one almost opposite the site of the bingo. We keep hearing about how church attendance (at least CoE) is falling. I fail to see the logic in putting up another church here.

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Chesham says...
7:49pm Tue 16 Jun 09

An arthouse cinema would be just what the area needs. South east London is packed with churches, but there aren't many good cinemas. Let's make sure this happens!

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bosie says...
8:16pm Tue 16 Jun 09

I think a cinema would be fantastic for Crystal Palace and the surrounding areas. It would be hugely benefical to all the shops, bars and restaurants in the area as people coming to the cinema would be likely to spend money eating and drinking. An opportunity like this in a recession could provide a lifeline to any struggling busineses.

A cinema would be used by a wide section of the community e.g. pensioners and families as well as providing entertainment for young people, something which is missing in CP.

A cinema would also bring welcome employment into the area and people who currently work for Gala Bingo or who worked for Woolworths may find new employment locally.

In short this could be the best thing to happen to the area and could act as a further catalyst for improvement to Church Road which is already starting to improve.

A church however, would not offer the same sort of benefits to the local community. There are already a number of churches in the area catering to a range of denominations.

Croydon Council would be very shortsighted to agree a change of usage to a church for the Gala site. I hope that local Councillors and MP's listen to what the community is saying and put the best interests of its residents first when making a decision on this!



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SE!19_lobe says...
9:18pm Tue 16 Jun 09

A cinema would be a fantastic addition to the area! I have long hoped for such a development. It would be a real boost for the struggling local businesses and a fantastic facility for the residents. YES PLEASE TO THE CINEMA!

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guineagirl says...
9:19pm Tue 16 Jun 09

There is a very strong local community in the Crystal Palace area that would love a cinema in easy walking/ bus-ride distance and I'd be one of them.

I really hope the authorities take this seriously - as local communities do not only thrive on functional things like shops, cashpoints and transport, but also on leisure facilities - sports centres and swimming pools, comedy clubs and cinemas.

Crystal Palace is already blessed with open space, wonderful cafes and restaurants and has a real buzz atmosphere at the weekends - a cinema really would help lift the ongoing regeneration to the next level. A leisure facility like a cinema would be a particular benefit to boost more visitors with money to spend to the Church Rd location where so many businesses have closed down.

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Conboy says...
11:05pm Tue 16 Jun 09

Crystal Palace is the perfect spot for a new Picture House cinema and would transform that bit of the triangle. I for one would use it all the time. I love the Ritzy but find it awkward to get to these days. Lets have it!!! No more Churches please...

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bosie says...
8:19am Wed 17 Jun 09

join the facebook campaign to get a new cinema...
http://www.facebook.
com/home.php#/group.
php?gid=93895723250&
ref=mf

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LOCAL SE19 says...
10:30am Wed 17 Jun 09

Church Rd definitely needs this to . At the moment its a wasted opportunity with boarded up shops & traffic thundering past.

This could be the kick start the are needs.

What the area doesn't need is another church that will do very little for this long neglected road.

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tamsin says...
1:00pm Wed 17 Jun 09

As stated on Virtual Norwood our local community forum. "Reinstating a cinema (it's original use) in the Gala Bingo Hall would be pro-diversity, as it's not an estate agent, a church or a restaurant, of which there are loads in the area already. And it would be nclusive as people of all faiths, including no faith (and we're not mentioned often enough in these debates) can go there. "
A cinema would make a significant contribution to the regeneration of Crystal Palace and the wider area and I would achieve many of the key objectives and priorties of both the wider Bromley Coucil's corporate plan and our local community strategy. If there is an application for change of use to a church this will be strongly opposed on very strong planning grounds.

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IanW says...
1:27pm Wed 17 Jun 09

A cinema on Church Road would be a great addition to the amenities in the local area and in my view benefit the local residents and businesses in the triangle. The Ritzy in Brixton is a fine example of a community resource that has real benefits and has become a focal point for the area. If something like this could be done in Palace it would signal positive redevelopment. I also remember that Bromley felt there was a need for a cinema in the area a few years ago, I hope they are still of the same mind.

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EileenW says...
1:30pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Crystal Palace does not need another church, thank you. But it would really benefit from a cinema - there were once three here, two of them in Church Road. As can be seen from the article a new cinema would be very well supported, and the local bars and restaurants would welcome the extra business that it would generate.

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klg says...
1:49pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Without a doubt, as a local resident, a cinema like The Ritzy in Brixton would be a wonderful addition to The Triangle and one that would be welcomed with open arms by the area. It's true that we don't need another church and especially one that is of no use or interest to the local residents.

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GillW says...
2:51pm Wed 17 Jun 09

A cinema is just the boost this area needs! The groundswell of community support says it all!

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TMR says...
2:51pm Wed 17 Jun 09

A cinema is a fantastic idea, and would be a great addition to the area. After the continual delays to the redevelopment of Crystal Palace Park, it would be nice to see an idea that appears to have universal support - pushed through quickly... (Ever the optimist) TMR

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miss chips says...
3:21pm Wed 17 Jun 09

A cinema is what Crystal Palace has been crying out for for years! It will help more people visit the area, giving local businesses a much-needed push, and will be a fantastic addition to an already fantastic area.

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ClaireyM says...
3:26pm Wed 17 Jun 09

I would love to see a cinema in Crystal Palace. I'm sure many people would want to use the local bars and restaurants after seeing a film - it would be great for the area! The last thing the area needs is another church!

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misspoddy says...
3:35pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Crystal Palace is THE ideal place for a cinema. Not only does it have the perfect infrastructure around it with lots of bars and restaurants, it also has the right population! People here really really want a cinema and I am sure it would use on a regular basis, not only at a birthday treat. I would certainly use it once a week.
PLEASE, let us have a cinema.

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kristybella says...
5:11pm Wed 17 Jun 09

I think this is a brilliant idea! It'll be a real boost to the area. Even more fantastic that it's the same company as the Ritzy! I'll be crossing my fingers!

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Prof. Pod says...
6:41pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Excellent idea - and I'm sure a potentially lucrative one. I'm a member of the Ritzy but often don't make it to films I want to see because of travel times and childcare issues - and I know I'm not the only one in Crystal Palace. Also it will help regenerate Church Road significantly and encourage an already burgeoning cultural scene in the are. Do it and I'll join!

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cathyh says...
8:50pm Wed 17 Jun 09

an arthouse cinema is just what is needed here... SE19 is a large catchment area and peoplewill travel to see a film then go for a meal or drink..we certaintly do not need another church as there are plenty of all types of churches here already...

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hellnick says...
12:19pm Thu 18 Jun 09

A cinema would do wonders for the area as it would benefit local bars, cafes and restaurants too. There are many, many churches in the areas and I really can't imagine that another one will benefit anyone.

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bosie says...
5:49pm Thu 18 Jun 09

join the facebook campaign to get a new cinema...
http://www.facebook.

com/home.php#/group.

php?gid=93895723250&

ref=mf

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D-man says...
7:47am Mon 22 Jun 09

YES, YES, YES! This is a great idea, a cinema would be just what the area needs and it would be hugely popular. Please no more 'clap-along' Churches.

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tamsin says...
8:04am Mon 22 Jun 09

Apparently contracts have already been exchanged between the church and Gala and the sale completes next week.

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DavidSE19 says...
10:09am Mon 22 Jun 09

What a waste of a purpose-built cinema and loss to the local community.

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D-man says...
12:43pm Mon 22 Jun 09

That is a disaster. Is there anyway we can protest against this church? It would really be a true waste of a great space.

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bosie says...
4:59pm Mon 22 Jun 09

Even if the sale goes through the church will still have to apply for a change of use. This is where we need to focus our energies!


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karinas says...
12:16pm Wed 24 Jun 09

This cinema would be such a success, if something could be done about it and residents can help in any way (i.e. I am not on facebook)a good place to get some signatures would be on Saturday mornings in front of Sainsbury's. Such a cinema would a healthy addition to the area.

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Nefertari32 says...
10:31am Thu 25 Jun 09

I cannot think of anything better for the area. We don't have a local cinema and a church would spell the end for that road. It would bring people together not to mention helping local businesses. I for one give the cinema my full support.

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