Petition to save the David Lean Cinema presented at meeting (From Croydon Guardian)

Petition to save the Croydon's David Lean Cinema presented at council meeting

10:19am Friday 22nd July 2011 in News

A petition calling for the David Lean Cinema to be reopened has been signed by more than 600 supporters and presented to the council.

Sixty supporters of the Save the David Lean Cinema Campaign protested outside the Town Hall, prior to a full council meeting on Monday evening.

The cinema fell victim to the council's arts-related budget cuts and was the borough's only independent cinema before it closed in April.

During the council meeting, Councillor Maggie Mansell presented the petition on behalf of the campaigners, who are calling for the cinema to be reopened.

Cllr Mansell said: "Fairfield Hall are doing their best, but the atmosphere is very different. There is a big difference between a comfy, 60 cinema and a 1,600 seat theatre."

A public meeting has been organised for September 16, after campaigners also complained about the type of films being shown.

But Councillor Sara Bashford, the council's cabinet member for culture and sport, defended the first programme at Fairfield, which mixed current releases with less mainstream films.

She said: "I think it is a good program, but we are happy to discuss the type of programs that are shown."

Despite Cllr Bashford telling supporters the reopening of the cinema in the clock tower 'won't happen,' Cllr Mansell said: "I think there is still a negotiation to be had.

"For a start finding the right sized room and it may be in the Fairfield but I would hold out the hope that sometime in the future we will reinstate the David Lean Cinema."