Battle to save famous Central London cinema

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

Londoners are battling to save a famous Central London cinema from closing after 88 years of entertainment.

Mayfair’s Curzon cinema is expecting to be evicted from its home as a deal on a new lease has not been reached.

According to a petition to save the cinema, Curzon has said it is keen to reach an agreement with its landlord for a new long-term lease and is happy to pay a substantial increase in rent.

So far more than 4,300 people have signed the petition to try and protect the cinema, in Curzon Street, from being evicted from the venue.

West End councillor Patrick Lilley, who set up the petition, said: “The Curzon brand was first established with the building of the cinema site in Curzon Street in 1934, and has a long and storied history there, hosting countless glitzy premieres and events for the local community.”

The cinema first opened in 1935 and it is described by Historic England as “the finest surviving cinema building of the post-war period”.

Westminster City Council listed the cinema as an asset of community value earlier this year, but the accolade may not be enough to save the venue.

Actors Andrew Scott, Emma Thompson, Daniel Craig and Will Smith have all recently attended film premieres at the cinema and it regularly hosts red-carpet events with the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime.

The LDRS has contacted Curzon for comment on the rumoured closure threat.

Pictured top: The Curzon in Mayfair (Picture: Google Street View)