VicCraven

I think it's time we got back on track with positivity and excitement about the possibility of East Dulwich getting it's first major cultural hub! In a recent edition of the Picturehouse Cinemas quarterly magazine, founder Lyn Goleby talks about future developments. I quote her here: "We're launching a cinema-on-demand platform called ourscreen through a handful of our cinemas and we think that's a really exciting next stage. Audiences will be able to programme films and events in their local cinemas. We think it's an amazing idea." Exciting times! Vic :)

Hi yeknomyeknom. I spoke at length with one of the designers from the architect firm who have been appointed. She was great to talk to and I was very impressed with her knowledge not only of the building designs but also of the local area. I did ask if I could take photos of the plans but at this stage they are not in the public domain but will be once officially submitted for planning permission. So all eyes on the council planning web site! Vic :)

I've just been to the exhibition and am greatly inspired and excited by the project. The first thing to hit me was what a beautiful building the St Thomas Moore Hall is and that it's a real crime for it not to have been used for so long. The architect plans for the cinema are extremely sensitive to the building. They include a number of plans to restore parts of the building back to it's original features. The upper floor cinema includes plans to restore the original cross beams in the roof which would be wonderful to see. The plans also include sensitivity to the direct area around the site to ensure minimum impact for the day to day running of the building. The proposal includes 3 cinemas and a cafe/bar area. I was also pleased to see a lot of thought going into the impact on traffic in the area. There is a large Picturehouse cinema membership living in East Dulwich and the direct area around it. Currently these people are split between regularly visiting the Ritzy Picturehouse and the Greenwich Picturehouse. Having an East Dulwich Picturehouse would mean that a large percentage of these members would be able to walk to the cinema and thereby reducing impact on the environment by not driving to Brixton or Greenwich. Also, as the East Dulwich site is not massive, the total seats in all three cinemas (even if all three screens were sold out, which I have been advised is rare) would not bring in large amounts of additional traffic. It was also encouraging to see that the local artistic scene and other cultural events have been researched and taken on board. I had a discussion with one of the representatives suggesting an area of the new cinema could be dedicated to showing local artists work and the reaction to the idea was very positive. This really is a very exciting project and I believe that such a venue would bring a whole new level of culture to East Dulwich. We already have great one off nights such as The Bigger Picture at the EDT, music and comedy nights at various pubs etc. but what we do not have is a permanent cultural hub. I firmly believe that Picturehouse East Dulwich would be that place. Vic :)

Don't forget that tomorrow is the second and last chance to catch the exhibition for the proposed cinema. A good opportunity for us all to give our feedback and raise our concerns with the project partners. I've copied the flyer text below. Vic :) "Picturehouse Cinemas presents... its proposals for Dulwich Picturehouse at the historic site of St Anthony's Church and former St Anthony's School. Please come along to our informal exhibition at St Thomas More Hall, Lordship Lane, SE22. Tuesday 4 March between 6:30pm and 9:30pm Saturday 8 March between 10:00am and 1:00pm We have now started our pre-planning application dialogue with Southwark Council and would love to share our ideas with you. We look forward to seeing you on one of the above dates - we hope you will be as excited about our plans as we are! Best wishes Picturehouse Cinemas"

I can understand that some people may find it surprising that a cinema would open near to Peckham cinema, but the two businesses are very different. In a similar way to Greenwich having both the large multiplex Odeon cinema AND the Greenwich Picturehouse. The multiplex offerings cater for the more Hollywood based blockbuster fair which definitely has it's place and market. The Picturehouse group have evolved a brand over many years that will also cater for the latest must see big budget film (last years 'Gravity' and currently the surprisingly brilliant 'The Lego Movie' to name two) but also offers a broad range of films that would never been shown at an Odeon type cinema. Picturehouse also offer a broad range of curated and special screenings which will be ideal for a community such as East Dulwich. The 'Big Scream Club' allows parents to see the latest films accompanied by their under 1 year old babies; 'Silver Screen' offers weekly screenings for the over 60s for ?5, including free tea of coffee; 'Kids' Club', Autism-Friendly screenings and much more. Picturehouse have been at the forefront of live arts in the cinema regularly showing live performances from the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, Met Opera and more. The membership scheme is brilliant. The annual free tickets that you are given, the discount on tickets booked and the removal of booking fee pays back the membership in no time. Really worth joining. I should point out that I have nothing to do with the company but have been a devotee of the Picturehouse cinemas for over 15 years and am simply over the moon that we could have one at the end of the road! Let's all get behind this and make it happen. Vic :)

And for those without the ability to view the image, here is a transcript of the leaflet: "Picturehouse Cinemas presents... its proposals for Dulwich Picturehouse at the historic site of St Anthony's Church and former St Anthony's School. Please come along to our informal exhibition at St Thomas More Hall, Lordship Lane, SE22. Tuesday 4 March between 6:30pm and 9:30pm Saturday 8 March between 10:00am and 1:00pm We have now started our pre-planning application dialogue with Southwark Council and would love to share our ideas with you. We look forward to seeing you on one of the above dates - we hope you will be as excited about our plans as we are! Best wishes Picturehouse Cinemas"

Here is a copy of the leaflet being distributed today with details of the exhibition next week. Vic :)

This really is incredibly exciting. And I am SO happy that of the three potential companies, the Picturehouse group have succeeded in their proposal. I cannot believe that I will be able to walk to the end of the road to see the latest and best films. Looking forward to visiting their exhibition next week. Vic :)

This is just too exciting! After spending the last number years travelling from wherever I live (including a period of time in Barons Court!) to the Greenwich Picturehouse, the idea of having our very own similar cinema in East Dulwich is wonderful. Also happy that Curzon and another independent are now on the table.