What Others Say
Celebrities
Interested Cinema Operators
Other Successful Cinema Operators in Listed or Older Buildings
Local Business
Celebrities
SIR MICK JAGGER, musician: “It’s heartbreaking to hear such a beautiful, important historical building and centre of entertainment is being lost to the local community. I fully support the campaign to keep it open and provide film, music and the arts for generations to come.”
MEERA SYAL, actress and writer: “The Walthamstow cinema has a rare touch of glamour and it would be an absolute tragedy if the film lovers of east London were to be permanently deprived of this beautiful jewel of a cinema.”
ALAN DAVIES, actor and comedian: “I spent many happy hours there as a child and find it extraordinary that its preservation as a cinema for local people is not a priority in the borough of Waltham Forest. With the recent demise of the dog track and now this news, it seems the protection of the area’s historic and cultural landmarks is in the wrong hands.”
TONY ROBINSON, actor and presenter: “At this exciting time in our history when east London is about to be revitalised, it would be crazy to turn our backs on such a magnificent venue. If not for our sakes, then for the sake of the next generation of film and music lovers, let’s ensure it is given the opportunity to reclaim its place as the hub of Walthamstow’s high-class entertainment.”
DAVID WARNER, actor: “It’s essential for our future that we do not destroy the treasures of our past. This building saw the beginning of something we now take for granted – the shared experience of cinema. Please allow it to remain for that purpose.”
TONY BENN, politician and historian: “I offer 100% support against the vandalism that is being planned.”
THE BERNSTEIN FAMILY, creators of the EMD Cinema: “This building has served as a cinema for many generations of people and is the last substantial place of entertainment in the area. The building was intended to bring the community together and to raise local access to culture and entertainment. It was always meant to be somewhere open to everyone. If it becomes a church then clearly that purpose is completely lost. It would be very sad for Waltham Forest if such a long and important tradition now falls by the wayside through the outcome of a planning decision. It was designed by some of the great architects and designers of their generation and forms part of the heritage of the great picture palaces”.
Interested Cinema Operators
TYRONE HEBBORN WALKER, owner/manager, Genesis Cinema, Mile End: “It would be entirely possible to bring the cinema back to life. We regenerated and opened the Genesis cinema in Whitechapel after it had been closed and left derelict for 10 years. We are now celebrating our 10th birthday proving that a successful business can rise from the ashes of an old one. I see the Walthamstow Cinema as a similar project and there is no apparent reason why it couldn’t work.”
LYN GOLEBY, managing director, Picturehouse Cinema (City Screen): “Our previous work has shown clearly that the redevelopment of historic cinema buildings such as the former EMD in Walthamstow can act as an organic catalyst for wider regeneration. These projects attract other businesses to the area and really stimulate the night time economy.”
JAMES HANNAWAY, owner/manager The Rex Cinema (Berkhamsted): “The Rex is the most successful independent cinema in the UK because it cares about where it is. Walthamstow is already a vibrant area. Already it has lost its world-famous dog track to developers and weak planning. Don’t let it lose the fabulous EMD cinema. It is only inches from being big, bright, beautiful and buzzing again.”
Other Successful Cinema Operators in Listed or Older Buildings
FRANK CHALLENGER, CEO, Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton: “Working on a variety of projects, Light House is able to attract grants from many organisations. These have included the UK Film Council, the regional screen agency, the regional development agency, AWM, Screen WM, various employment/regeneration funds (recently, for example, Working Neighbourhoods Fund and Future Jobs Fund and so on) as well as ESF, ERDF and LSC. The continued support of the local authority has been essential in securing this external investment. The cinema is at the heart of this activity. It is professionally staffed but also has teams of volunteers, increasing the community’s involvement. Some residents have said that if Light House closed, they would move from the City! I expect Walthamstow has some similarities with Wolverhampton; the existence of cinema in the centre can assist in bringing communities together, drawing in support and recognition. It’s essential in the mix that makes for the thriving urban area.”
LEZLEY PICTON, (Head of Arts & Heritage, Shropshire Council), Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury: “The OMH is renowned for the quality of venue, facilities and Programme. The redevelopment brought life to a derelict building, empty for nearly 10 years. It’s renovation breathed new life in to The Square which was experiencing many empty shops etc. Even now, in a recession there are no empty shops. Since the opening of the OMH there has been a marked increase in the number of A3 (Restaurant/Cafe) businesses including Loch Fine and three large cafe/coffee units have opened including Cafe Nero and Starbucks within 50m of venue – trade has not been affected, in fact it’s increased. Once a no-go zone, the area around this cinema has seen marked social and economic regeneration. The local evening economy has been particularly transformed and the success of the cinema has led to massive external investment towards a new £28 million pound state of the art theatre, Theatre Severn. The biggest complain we get is “I can’t get a ticket” – it’s a nice problem to have.”
PAUL HOMER, chief executive, The Phoenix, East Finchley: “The Phoenix Cinema, in East Finchley, has been run by the local community since 1985 and has stood since 1910. The cinema is the heart of the community and frequently cited by local residents as a reason they move to and stay in the area. The cinema brings films from around the world to this corner of London, sharing stories that would otherwise not be told. The cinema has a major economic benefit to the area as well. Turning over in excess of £600,000 annually the cinema employs the equivalent of 12 full-time posts, as well providing work to local businesses including an electrician, a baker and a painter. As a venue for hire to community groups and businesses we help local charities to run events to raise money, including two royal visits with good PR for the area. We are recognised by our local council, Barnet, as an important organisation in the borough. We help to improve Barnet’s cultural provision, although do not receive any revenue funding from them. So it’s a win-win situation for them.”
JEMMA BUCKLEY, audience development officer, The Rio, Dalston: “The Rio is an independent, single screen community cinema, operating as a registered charity and proud to be Hackney’s last remaining cinema. We are committed to providing as diverse a programme of high-quality cinema as possible, participating in many regional and national festivals to bring world-class cultural events to Hackney residents. We are viewed in Hackney not just as a cinema offering much needed access to the arts, but also as a provider of well-valued community initiatives and activities for local residents. Our schools screenings programme works with over 10,000 children and young people a year. While our diverse programming ensures we contribute to the cultural scene of the area, drawing audiences from across London, our wider activities demonstrate we are also a well-loved and much-treasured resource within the local community.”
Local Business
JOHN NORMAN, director, Academy Design: “With so many parties interested in reviving the EMD as a cinema, why is the council still pursuing the option of converting the building into a church? The application has already been refused with good reason. Please can we have this beautiful old cinema restored as a beacon of pride and prosperity for the whole community.”
ANDREW GOAD, Churchill Estates: “We strongly feel that the community would greatly benefit from the EMD building in Hoe Street to re-open as a cinema. It would attract many people from the neighbouring areas. We also feel it would enhance local businesses and benefit the regeneration plan for the local area.”
GLENN CONN, Haart Estate Agents: “We at Haart feel that a revived cinema would certainly be the best use for the EMD building. It would benefit the local community and businesses and make Walthamstow a more attractive place to live.”
MANEL RAHAR, manager, Kaz Digital Services: “The cinema would attract more people to visit the local area and at the same time provide better opportunities for the local businesses to prosper such as restaurants, cafes and the market. The nearest cinemas are located in Ilford and Enfield, too far for people who do not have access to their own vehicles. There is nothing else around to keep people entertained.”
AARON CLINGHAM, director, Rose and Crown Theatre pub: “A fully operational cinema at the EMD site is necessary to the continued regeneration of Walthamstow and would be of vital importance to businesses and residents alike.”
NICK CURRAN, manager, Celsius bar, Hoe Street: “How is a church going to provide anything that the council has promised in the way of regeneration?”
FRANC ESCUDER, Grove Cafe: “The cinema would generate more customers who would utilise the local amenities before and after going to screenings. This would help build a sense of community and cohesion. Walthamstow is a family-oriented area and any opportunity to reflect this should be seized upon positively to celebrate the best of our borough.”
JONATHAN GUNSES, director, The Language Business: “A revived cinema would be the best use for the EMD building. It would benefit local business and improve the area as a whole and make it a more attractive place to live and work.”
STUART ARNOTT, director, Red Planet Multimedia Production Company: “I believe that retaining the EMD building as a cinema is vital to the community. A restored cinema would be a jewel in East London’s crown – a focal point for civic pride and a unique visitor attraction. A developed EMD would benefit a variety of local businesses as Walthamstow will become a destination to spend the day. I urge Waltham Forest Council to reject any endeavour to change the building’s use from its original purpose and to do everything in its power to allow it to remain a cinema.”
MING FENG LI: Peking Chef: “I want the cinema to come back. It is good for children and good for business. Cinema benefits all the people who live in Walthamstow.”
CAROLYN ABBOTT, organiser, E17 Designers Market: “There is a very strong case to show that a high percentage of residents would regularly visit a cinema that could serve the whole community. In a central space such as this, it could be a hub that brings opportunities to keep wealth in the borough as well as a brilliant space to meet for young and old from all parts of the community.”
LYNDSEY WARD, principal, Vestry School of Dance and Performing Arts: “I strongly object to the application for the cinema to be changed into a place of worship when this borough’s residents would benefit more with a thriving cinema that would benefit the whole community.”
