603 posts
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Post by jek on Jun 25, 2024 16:39:49 GMT
I have just had an email to tell me that my local Picturehouse is closing down as of July 28th. I can't say I am surprised - given how few people are generally in attendance and the lack of building maintenance over recent times. As I understand it Bromley and Fulham branches are also to close. It's very sad.
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Post by kallyloo on Jun 25, 2024 19:21:53 GMT
Love, love, love Picturehouse and although Central and others are sometimes fairly vacant, I thought the Q&A’s, the seasons and unique experiences counterbalanced the drier periods. They have dog friendly screenings for goodness sake.
The staff are all absolutely wonderful and above and beyond what you generally find in the average cinema.
Partnered by Kia as one of their more artistic ventures, I’d hoped Kia money would also provide a decent buffer in tough times. Really sad.
Edit: Not as bleak as it first looks for Bromley at least. They’re closing but have proposed building another Picturehouse a few miles away in a new development area.
Really sad though for Fulham and it’s lovely Art Deco style interior.
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6,873 posts
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Post by Jon on Jun 25, 2024 23:31:50 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised if these sites were losing money but also the areas they served have cinemas within walking or driving distance, Bromley for example has Vue as well which has recliners and likely cheaper and Fulham Road is not far from Everyman Chelsea which caters for the well heeled and for blockbusters, there is a Vue in Fulham Broadway.
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603 posts
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Post by jek on Jun 26, 2024 8:21:26 GMT
Yes, we are in Stratford (forgot to mention that in my orginal post!) We have a Vue and are also getting an Everyman very soon (obviously that is a very different market). What does surprise me about it is that Stratford has so much student accommodation (including a huge Kings College London block across the road from the Picturehouse) and you would think that would be enough to support the cinema. It is such a shame for Stratford as the cinema was purpose built in the late 1990's, garnering much praise in the architectural press. It's part of Stratford's 'cultural quarter' along with Stratford Royal Theatre and Stratford Circus. Stratford Circus no longer hosts events (we saw some great dance and circus performances there) as it has been reinvented as a youth hub. So only the theatre remains.
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5,112 posts
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Post by TallPaul on Jun 26, 2024 17:24:39 GMT
Part of Cineworld, aren't they, which has been really struggling with its debt mountain post-Covid.
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Post by amyja89 on Jun 26, 2024 20:18:12 GMT
I must admit I haven't been to the one we have in Oxford since the Curzon opened a few years ago, but it was always a great spot away from the Odeons and Vue.
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2,670 posts
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Post by n1david on Jun 27, 2024 5:37:42 GMT
I am a little surprised not to see Finsbury Park Picturehouse on this list given that of its seven screens, four have been closed for the last few months for "maintenance". The "exclusive members bar" is now open to everyone but still rarely see anyone else in there. The last film I saw there, in its largest screen, had 8 people in the audience. It's been open three years and was part of a huge new housing development, so I suspect any section 106 obligations may be coming to a close. It's a shame, but I think all cinema is struggling right now - I think so many people got out of the habit during the pandemic and what's been onscreen hasn't been enough to get tham back. Having said that, my Picturehouse membership has just come up for renewal and it has gone up from £96 to £190. Even I can't drink enough with the 20% bar discount to make that good value...
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Post by marob on Jun 27, 2024 6:22:05 GMT
They opened a new cinema in Chester late last year as part of the redevelopment of the market. I went to see The Boy and The Heron there just after Christmas and it was packed. I went about a fortnight ago to see Dr Strangelove and I was literally the only one in the screening. That’s happened a handful of times when I’ve seen films both late in their run and the afternoon before, but here where it was a one-off screening, seemed unusual, especially as I didn’t see anyone else on the way in or out either.
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2,670 posts
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Post by n1david on Jun 27, 2024 6:50:35 GMT
I find the staffing levels at all the Picturehouses bizarre - I am not sure I have ever had a ticket checked on the way into a screen. I guess they assume that the cost of employing staff exceeds the inevitable revenue loss. If one were so minded, one could spend all day seeing films at the Finsbury Park Picturehouse and never buy a ticket. At Central, you probably have to buy one ticket but once you're in, you're in....
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Post by SilverFox on Jun 27, 2024 8:21:30 GMT
As others have said, Cineworld (the parent company of Picturehouse) is in serious financial trouble, the sites earmarked for closure are largely in prime redevelopment areas - i e the most valuable sites to sell for a substantial amount. As an example, if Bromley was losing so much money, why would they be talking about opening another site nearby?
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Post by kallyloo on Jun 29, 2024 9:29:06 GMT
I am a little surprised not to see Finsbury Park Picturehouse on this list given that of its seven screens, four have been closed for the last few months for "maintenance". The "exclusive members bar" is now open to everyone but still rarely see anyone else in there. The last film I saw there, in its largest screen, had 8 people in the audience. It's been open three years and was part of a huge new housing development, so I suspect any section 106 obligations may be coming to a close. It's a shame, but I think all cinema is struggling right now - I think so many people got out of the habit during the pandemic and what's been onscreen hasn't been enough to get tham back. Having said that, my Picturehouse membership has just come up for renewal and it has gone up from £96 to £190. Even I can't drink enough with the 20% bar discount to make that good value... Picturehouse is listed as £170 on the website for Central and West End inc 10 tickets, so might be worth a check if you decide to renew. I’ve recently found that Empire Magazine VIP membership currently offers free Picturehouse membership along with 2 free tickets and their magazine in the app for £8.99 a month or £99 pa. You lose 8 tickets but gain £90 and a film magazine. |
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2,670 posts
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Post by n1david on Jul 1, 2024 10:19:29 GMT
Picturehouse is listed as £170 on the website for Central and West End inc 10 tickets, so might be worth a check if you decide to renew. Yes, that's the offer that I got, only at £190 if not paying by direct debit. But tickets for mainstream showings at Picturehouse Central are only £10.20 at the moment, so those 10 tickets are worth £102. The members' bar is very nice, but I don't think even I spend enough to accumulate £90-worth of bar discounts! As I said, last year it was £96 so it made financial sense. There are free showings and special events open to members but those are often difficult for me to attend so I think I've only attended one in the several years I've been a member. I'm hoping that if I let it lapse they come back with a more meaningful offer. |
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603 posts
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Post by jek on Jul 1, 2024 10:31:32 GMT
I know it's a bit niche in terms of what it shows but I would really recommend Garden Cinema membership. £20 membership gives one free film, £2 discount on tickets and - importantly - access to their very nice bar even if you aren't seeing a film. I love the way it's run as pretty much a hobby by a man in his 80s who loves cinema. And it's near to Holborn and Tottenham Court Road tubes. www.thegardencinema.co.uk/ |
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1,451 posts
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Post by mkb on Jul 1, 2024 13:44:04 GMT
Picturehouse is listed as £170 on the website for Central and West End inc 10 tickets, so might be worth a check if you decide to renew. Yes, that's the offer that I got, only at £190 if not paying by direct debit. But tickets for mainstream showings at Picturehouse Central are only £10.20 at the moment, so those 10 tickets are worth £102. The members' bar is very nice, but I don't think even I spend enough to accumulate £90-worth of bar discounts! As I said, last year it was £96 so it made financial sense. There are free showings and special events open to members but those are often difficult for me to attend so I think I've only attended one in the several years I've been a member. I'm hoping that if I let it lapse they come back with a more meaningful offer. There's usually a Black Friday offer that brings the price down substantially. |
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2,670 posts
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Post by n1david on Jul 4, 2024 19:55:07 GMT
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3,527 posts
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Post by showgirl on Jul 5, 2024 4:05:13 GMT
PH have been emailing me for weeks saying my renewal is due & that they're no longer taking DDs; instead members are "invited" to set up a "recurring card payment" which I believe is another term for a "continuous credit card authority" and which consumer organsitions such as "Which?" warn members to avoid. However, the issue is postponed for me as I knew very well that my renewal was not due as I only paid in December & sure enough, after a very protracted email correspondence about the whole issue (their Customer Service staff seem quite unable to give straight answers to anything, even when it should be a "yes" or "no" option), they've agreed that they got my renewal date wrong. So by the time I do come to renew we should now which sites remain in their estate.
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2,670 posts
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Post by n1david on Aug 23, 2024 10:22:14 GMT
Picturehouse is listed as £170 on the website for Central and West End inc 10 tickets, so might be worth a check if you decide to renew. Yes, that's the offer that I got, only at £190 if not paying by direct debit. But tickets for mainstream showings at Picturehouse Central are only £10.20 at the moment, so those 10 tickets are worth £102. The members' bar is very nice, but I don't think even I spend enough to accumulate £90-worth of bar discounts! As I said, last year it was £96 so it made financial sense. There are free showings and special events open to members but those are often difficult for me to attend so I think I've only attended one in the several years I've been a member. I'm hoping that if I let it lapse they come back with a more meaningful offer. And indeed there's a 40% off deal for new memberships over the weekend, so for West End membership that's £114, so for cinema tickets alone that's £11.40 each, with the discounts and events on top. |
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