Bromley residents kick back against ‘cultural wasteland’ after cinema closure

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

A Bromley community group wants to protect an art deco building and promote culture in the borough after the closure of a cinema.

The team feels that the loss has left the area at risk of becoming a ‘cultural wasteland’.

The initiative comes after the Arts Picturehouse cinema in Bromley High Street closed on August 1.

The news sparked a strong local reaction, including the creation of a petition to save the cinema receiving more than 5,600 signatures and a community group named Save Bromley Picturehouse.

Following the closure, the group rebranded itself as Arts Cinema Bromley, aimed at uniting film lovers in the area and promoting arthouse cinema.

Rob Carrick, 47, chairman of Arts Cinema Bromley, said: “I think there was this bit where we recognised that we’re losing the cinema but we’re not losing the community.”

Mr Carrick said one of the aims of the group was to preserve the cinema’s iconic building, which dates back to 1936 and features art deco elements from architect George Coles.

Bromley councillors have previously expressed their intentions to try to retain the structure.

Labour councillor Alisa Igoe said: “We are possibly in danger of becoming a cultural wasteland in Bromley if the council does not attempt to keep some of these cultural and arts buildings working within Bromley.”

Mr Carrick said: “We can’t solve the lack of that cultural side of things in Bromley but we can contribute to pulling some of it back.

“What we have recognised is it’s not that the loss of the Picturehouse has left a gap in the market because it was always there.”

Pictured top: Rob Carrick in front of the closed Bromley Picturehouse (Picture: Joe Coughlan)