Uncertain future of Mayfair’s art house cinema given boost by new safeguarding status
One of London’s most iconic cinemas has been granted special status by Westminster City council, which should ensure it has a future.
The Grade-II listed Curzon Mayfair, a popular venue for red carpet events and with its own Royal boxes, has been designated an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
It means if the owner puts the building up for sale within the next five years, community groups would have six months to raise enough money to buy it on the open market.
The cinema’s landlord previously sought to apply pressure in 2017 when the upper floors were converted to residential use and the landlord demanded costly noise mitigation works be undertaken.
At that time, a ‘Save the Curzon Cinema’ campaign saw a petition in its defence quickly gain more than 27,000 signatures.
The Mayor of London intervened to protect long-established cultural venues from ‘agent of change’ demands from new neighbours complaining about long-existing noise.
However, the next battle for the Curzon’s future now looms, with the property’s lease soon coming up for renewal, threatening to end the Curzon’s association with Mayfair after 90 years.
The end of the Curzon’s lease would seriously risk the venue continuing as a distinctive art house cinema, loved and valued by generations of Mayfair residents, and Londoners as a whole.
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “Since it first opened in 1934 the Curzon has been an important and much-loved cinema for film lovers both from Westminster and beyond.
“It is exactly this sort of venue that perfectly fits the definition of an Asset of Community Value, as can be seen by the huge petition. We can only hope that the developers and the freeholders will appreciate what is at stake here.”
Philip Knatchbull, the Curzon’s chief executive officer, said: “Curzon Mayfair is one of London’s most loved cinemas.
“The listed wall reliefs by sculptor William Mitchell and the stunning ceiling are both iconic pieces of British cinema design. We are delighted the cinema has been officially recognised as an Asset of Community Value.
“The next six to 12 months will be the most significant in the long history of the Curzon’s presence at Curzon Street, Mayfair.”
Pictured top: The Curzon Mayfair (Pictures: Curzon Cinemas)
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