The closure of Bromley Picturehouse, due to rising operational costs and declining admissions, has saddened the local community. Located in an iconic Art Deco building designed by George Coles in 1936, the cinema has been a cultural cornerstone of Bromley.
Despite this closure, Picturehouse Cinemas has opened three new locations in the past six months. A spokesperson stated that Bromley Picturehouse’s last day of trading will be Thursday, August 1st, expressing gratitude to the staff and patrons. Membership details will be addressed soon.
During its final week, the cinema will feature films like Deadpool & Wolverine (15, 128 min), Despicable Me 4 (U, 94 min), Inside Out 2 (U, 96 min), Longlegs (15, 101 min), and Thelma (12A, 98 min).
Local resident Jon Lock has started a petition to save the cinema, which has garnered over 5,000 signatures. The petition emphasizes the cultural and personal significance of the venue, describing it as a “haven” and vital to Bromley’s identity. Jon, a lifelong resident, highlighted the Picturehouse as a unique escape from commercial multiplexes and a sanctuary for many.
Jon explained, “For my mental health, it’s the closest thing I find to meditation. So I go there for three hours, I can switch off, forget everything, and I think there’s a lot of people who feel the same. So that place really is a bit of a beacon for me, somewhere I can kind of go to escape. The second I heard it was closing, I just wanted to do something.”
The community continues to fight to keep the Picturehouse open and explore alternative options for the venue after August 1st.
