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Crystal Palace Gala Bingo site to become evangelical church not cinema

3:40pm Wednesday 17th June 2009


Dreams of the silver screen coming to Crystal Palace have been dealt a blow.

Residents campaigning for a cinema to help regenerate the Crystal Place Triangle had hoped one might be opened in the for-sale Gala Bingo Hall in Church Road.

But it has been confirmed the building has been bought by a evangelical church.

It was understood the building - once a cinema before it closed down in 1968 - had become a prime target for independent cinema chain City Screen.

The company behind the popular Ritzy and Clapham Picture House theatres had confirmed it was interested in opening a cinema in the area.

But the bingo hall - which will close on Sunday - is to be bought by the church, subject to the exhange of contracts Many residents were backing plans for a cinema because of its wide appeal, and the economic boost they say it would give to the area.

But campaigners have vowed to continue to look for an alternative site.

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

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


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Your Say YourCroydon

LOCAL SE19, Crystal Palace says...
4:02pm Wed 17 Jun 09

The last thing Church road needs is an evangelical church.

Thanks but no thanks.

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bosie, Gipsy Hill says...
4:05pm Wed 17 Jun 09

I am severely disappointed in this. Lets just hope that the Council does not grant planning permission for a change of usage - on the grounds that the local area would be losing a community facility.

Can't City Screen gazump the church? 1000 people each sticking a tenner in. I would certainly donate!

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DavidSE19, Crystal Palace says...
4:52pm Wed 17 Jun 09

It would be outrageous if Bromley Planners allowed a change of use from a building serving the whole community to an exclusive church from outside the area.

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EileenW, Crystal Palace says...
5:08pm Wed 17 Jun 09

I am dismayed by this news. As stated before, Crystal Palace does not need another church, evangelical or otherwise. This building was originally a cinema and is not suited to being converted into a church. I hope local people will appeal to Bromley Council against its change of use.

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Prof. Pod, Crystal Palace says...
7:25pm Wed 17 Jun 09

In all the comments on this site relating to this issue I haven't seen a single post in favour of the building becoming another church. This is clearly hugely unpopular and Bromley Council have to be made aware of this as strongly as possible. Any practical suggestions (or indeed anything in favour of the church) welcome!

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westcroydon, croydon says...
7:49pm Wed 17 Jun 09

evangelical church? i bet a pound to a penny that it becomes a MOSQUE

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pilkiethefox, Crystal Palace says...
11:39pm Wed 17 Jun 09

Perfect for the area, it's just so needed...

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Brian Sewer Esq, Lovely Tarring, W.Sussex says...
9:25am Thu 18 Jun 09

Good let them have it !

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bosie, Gipsy Hill says...
12:00pm Thu 18 Jun 09

Join the Facebook Group for the Cinema for Crystal Palace Campaign....

http://www.facebook.
com/group.php?gid=93
89...gid=93895723250


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NastyMrTom, Croydon says...
2:27pm Thu 18 Jun 09

westcroydon wrote:
evangelical church? i bet a pound to a penny that it becomes a MOSQUE

I'd take that bet. Although I'd feel bad taking money from an idiot. An ex-gambling hall converted into a mosque ... do you know much about Islam ??

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TMR, Anerley says...
10:50pm Thu 18 Jun 09

Something for the many (a cinema) as opposed to something for the few (another church) would have been brilliant for the area. That said, City Screen were beaten to it, life goes on...lets hope they find another nearby location (parking might be the challenge)

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DavidSE19, Crystal Palace says...
11:29pm Thu 18 Jun 09

Sold to the church SUBJECT TO CONTRACT, and they still have to apply for planning pemission ...

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SockMonkey, Crystal Palace says...
11:48am Tue 30 Jun 09

A cinema is exactly the type of thing we need in Crystal Palace. Particularly on Church Road which is the Poor Man of the Triangle and really needs help in the regeneration project for the area.

A cinema would bring money into the area - good news for the many shops, bars & restaurants. A church would not do this.

We do not need another place of worship of any denomination in this area. There is an evangelical church a 3 minutes walk away in Hamlet Road. Why do Evangelical Churches seem to favour buying old Gala Bingo Halls? The same thing happened in Kennington and the whole project fell through, the building stayed closed for years and is now, I believe, flats.

NO to a church
YES to a cinema

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