Yesterday’s story that Pizza Express is due to close on May 28 has been met with quite a reaction. And it’s not necessarily that people are huge fans of the restaurant chain itself; it’s that this new development could again put a question mark over the much-threatened building’s fate.
There’s been a heated(ish) debate about what’s actually happening in our comments section, Facebook and Twitter, but who’s for it becoming a cinema? Isn’t that the best possible use for the former polytechnic?
Last year writer Des Whynam argued the case for a cinema in NW5. “Kentishtowners should be able to enjoy an equal entertainment status long available in adjacent areas,” he said. “There were once more than half a dozen cinemas that shone their silver screens in our patch: the Gem Picture Hall (Malden Road), which opened in April 1910, is thought to be the first. It was followed in no particular order by the Coronation Gardens (Prince of Wales Road), The Lismore (Lismore Road), Kentish Town Cinema (Gaisford Street) and Forum ABC (Highgate Road).”
Unbelievable now, eh? But, as one reader said in our comments section yesterday: “The space would be perfect for a cinema. One could convert the ground floor into a bar and have two screening rooms – one on the ground floor and the other on the upper level. I have no idea why no cinema chain, let alone an independent style cinema, has thought of the idea.”
So who’s with us? It’s time to rally the troops and start a campaign. Add your support below.
29 thoughts on “Should the Pizza Express building become K-Town’s cinema?”
This is a great idea! It’s such a big space so it’d definitely make better use of the building.
Someone call Everyman Cinema, I would kill for one in KT
Second that!
Yes please!!
Or even better – a cinema/theatre/dance/music space!
Love this idea. A theatre/cinema/dance space would be wonderful. Something that the entire community can enjoy. If they could show a few old films at a reduced price too that would be great.
Excellent idea, should be cmbined with sme srt f cmmunity space as well!
great idea! please not more flats…
Kentish town needs a cinema and the old polytechnic building would be perfect.
definitely, could be our Ritzy with a mix of crowd pleasers and art films, but no £13 entrance and concessions for students AND the unemployed/OAPs. (PS Gillian forgot the Gaumont which was on Malden Road where a garage now stands, next to the quirky fishing shop)
This would be an amazing way to use an otherwise wasted building – the question is, what can we do to make something like this happen? A petition? Someone contacting the building owner / independent cinema companies? Presumably there are already plans afoot…
Absolutely! A great idea. would like to see one similar to the Belsize Everyman cinema where going to a film is a real treat.
Excellent idea!
Perfect idea. We can’t let it turn into a wetherspoons!!
Yes! This is a dreamboat idea! Camden Odeon is hell on earth and the Everyman is a ball ache to get to. Amazing plan.
Brill idea! What’s the next step in starting a campaign?
This would make my day, month, year, decade!!! Please please please…needs action not words though!! My friend is a manager at everyman’s screen on green – have told him to get onto management…what else can be done…let’s make this happen!
K-Town could benefit hugely from having its own cinema. Having some previous experience of film exhibition I’d love to get involved with an enthusiastic local group. The Everyman group are definitely not the answer!
Must say I agree. I have nothing against Everyman cinemas except the fact that you aren’t allowed take your own drinks into and this rule is strictly adhered to (I’ve tried taking a swig of my own coke and was pounced on in Belsize Park!) Needless to say, like all cinemas, they charge the earth for snacks and drinks
yes a cinema would be good
great idea – so agree we don’t want more overpriced ugly flats – our own Phoenix would be a community hub
Great building, great idea. Would add yet another dimension to Kebtish Town
It’s worth pointing out that the new development for Hawley Wharf, just north of the canal and not half a mile from this site, includes plans for an art house cinema. Turning the Pizza Express building into an art house cinema is a lovely idea; I just don’t think it’s commercially viable in the circumstances.
Oooh, yes! Something modelled in the tricycle in kilburn would be incredible but even ‘just’ an Everyman style cinema would be lovely. I’ve always said (to myself) that the one thing K Town lacks is a cinema!
Exactly, something independent, something like the Electric – sofas and good films and a bar, live jazz – who wants chain cinemas? It would be a destination, not just a place for locals. How can we make this happen?
What’s not to like about this idea!! How shall we get the ball rolling? Happy to help.
YES YES YES!
Picture house would be a perfect cinema here, great selection of films
we all want a cinema