David Lean Cinema will move to Fairfield Halls from the Clocktower
CROYDON'S beloved arthouse cinema is to remain open – but will operate from a new location, the Fairfield Halls.
The David Lean Cinema, currently based at the Clocktower, was set to close on April 21 but has been saved after an overwhelming chorus of disappointment and protest from residents and cinema aficionados.
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At Croydon Council's meeting on Monday, Councillor Sara Bashford, cabinet member for customer services, culture and sport, announced the "much-loved cinema" will not close, having listened to the views of residents.
Instead, it will be transferred to the nearby entertainment venue Fairfield, where it will "be more economical to run", according to the councillor.
Ms Bashford said negotiations to move the cinema had been ongoing since the end of the public consultation in January, but added the council had been unable to announce anything before an agreement had been reached.
She said: "We were in talks with people but we couldn't say it was definitely happening until now.
"We'll be moving the equipment so people can enjoy the sorts of films the David Lean showed, plus Fairfield is nearby and has appropriate facilities like a café that people want.
"It drives people to use another good venue.
"It's sad that we're having to lock doors in the Clocktower but we want to keep things that are important to Croydon open."
The 60-seat cinema is expected to be closed for a short break before establishing itself again at its new location.
The cinema is named after celebrated director David Lean, who was born in South Croydon in 1908 and is one of the most nominated directors in Oscar history, with two wins for Bridge On The River Kwai and Lawrence of Arabia.
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Comments
by Adrian, Shirley
Wednesday, April 20 2011, 1:35PM
“This may sound like a welcome reprieve, but what does it actually mean? A widely-held belief is that perhaps Sara Bashford's reference to "moving the equipment" will amount to relocating the David Lean's digital projector into the Ashcroft Theatre, and presenting some 'David Lean-branded' screeings, primarily in the afternoons when the theatre is not in use.
Although this might be better than nothing, it would offer limited consolation to those of us that will miss the unique qualities of the current facility, which included the ambience of the Arts Bar as well as the comfort and atmosphere of the cinema auditorium. Even if cuts are unavoidable, I would implore the Council to leave the cinema intact with a view to re-opening it in more prosperous times.
The Clocktower was a beautifully designed and visionary project that Croydon residents could take great pride in. The loss of such attractive services within it is extremely depressing, but made worse by the sense that not enough was done to maximise revenue. Why wasn't there better marketing, that could have included advertising Clocktower events and screeings at the Fairfield, and vice versa? Why was online booking via an external site that was so confusing that surely no one could be bothered to use it? What happened with regard to the statement that art house chains would be offered the chance to run the cinema? The indecent haste with which it was closed only adds to the sense of frustration and doubts whether every possible option was explored.”