‘We lost the building but found the community around it’: Social cinema set up after loss of beloved Picturehouse

After losing their beloved Picturehouse cinema earlier this month, a community has come together to fight back against the isolated and often expensive world of big brand film screenings.

Bromley Picturehouse closed its doors on August 1, despite campaigners’ desperate attempts to save the venue with petitions and public meetings.

The branch was the third Picturehouse in the capital to shut within a month, following the Fulham Road branch on July 11, and Stratford East on July 28, with the arthouse brand citing ‘increasing operational costs and declining admissions’.

But, less than a month on, a new enterprise has bloomed from campaigners efforts to save the venue: Social Cinema Bromley.

Robert Carrick, 47, from Hayes, who is heading the not-for-profit initiative, said: “I used to go to the Picturehouse maybe twice a month.

“When the closure was announced we all got together to campaign against it. 

“We soon realised we would lose the building but in doing so we found the community that existed around it.”

Social Cinema Bromley has launched as a community based cinema which will show arthouse, and cult classic movies in small venues across Bromley.

Mr Carrick said: “We’re trying to reverse the idea of cinema that big multiplexes have created where you turn up, watch the film and leave. 

“Instead, we will bring the cinema to you, working with local partners to bring people together to turn cinema back into a community effort.

“We’re keen to use spaces that allow people to linger, be social and meet new people.”

The venture already has a few venues lined up for screenings in October, including the Southey Brewery company.

The micro brewery in Southey Street, Penge, has already been kitted out with the necessary equipment from its previous attempts to host a film club in the upstairs space.

Mr Carick said: “The brewery is phenomenally successful but they said their film club petered out – we’re really keen to engage as many local businesses as we can to help each other out.”

Another Penge venue in the running for Autumn is the Bridge House Theatre, which holds a capacity of 40 people with a projector and sound system already installed.

The focus on art house films and cult classics, Mr Carrick said, comes from their loyal following.

He said: “Bromley Picturehouse had a 1980s season over the summer and it was really popular.

“Despite their popularity these films are rarely shown in cinemas anymore.”

Social Cinema Bromley will also take requests from its members who have the opportunity to introduce the film to the group before the screening.

Mr Carrick said: “I hear people talking about how awkward going to the cinema by themselves is – personally I love it –  but we want to encourage people to be social, stay around before and after to have a chat and really create a community we can all enjoy.

“There’s a lot of good will in this and I think it comes from a real appetite from people who want to spend time with each other and get around films.”

To find out more visit: www.socialcinemabromley.co.uk.  

Pictured top: Robert Carrick has helped to set up Social Cinema Bromley following the closure of the communities Picturehouse (Picture: Robert Carrick)