Regulars and film lovers have shared their fond and unique memories of Bromley Picturehouse ahead of its closure.

Bromley Picturehouse is set to close its doors on August 1, citing increasing operational costs and declining admissions.

The news has left many patrons heartbroken, as the cinema has been a cultural hub and a cherished venue for moviegoers of all ages.

In response to the closure, a petition initiated by local film fan Jon Lock to save the Picturehouse has quickly garnered support from the community, gaining over 5,000 signatures.

The community's outpouring of memories and support highlights the significant cultural and personal impact Bromley Picturehouse has had over the years.

Katie Herron, a young cinema enthusiast, expressed her sadness: “I became interested in classic cinema as a teenager during lockdown.

“When cinemas reopened, Picturehouse was the only place nearby that showed many of my new favourites: The Red Shoes, Sunset Boulevard, and All That Jazz.

“They also introduced me to so many more: Metropolis, 2001, Mulholland Drive, and Paris, Texas. Bromley will be a cultural desert without it.”

For long-time visitor Kevin Gooding, the closure marks the end of an era. “I have been a regular at the Picturehouse, formerly Odeon, for close to 50 years.

“I remember queuing all the way around the back to see the original Star Wars, along with many other blockbusters of the 70s & 80s.

“It was the first cinema in the area to get Dolby Stereo in the late 70s. Films like Pink Floyd The Wall sounded amazing in the large 760-seat screen 1.

“It's a part of the Bromley townscape. Let's hope it continues in some form or another, especially after such an extensive restoration.”

Sue and Mickey Gallagher shared a unique memory with their dog: “Attached is a photo of our dog, Bobbie, attending the dog-friendly screening of Top Gun Maverick a few years ago.

“This is just one of the special events the cinema offers, along with dementia-friendly showings as well as mother and baby screenings.

“As members for over 4 years, we are really distressed at the planned closure. It will be such a loss to the community as the only remaining cinema in Bromley only really shows new releases and blockbusters.

“This is also owned by the Cineworld group so even this may be in danger in the future. The PH shows a greater selection of films, more diverse films that would otherwise be missed by the general viewing public.

“We recently saw a charming film, Àma Gloria, which would never be shown at our local Odeon.”

Fiona Palmer reminisced about the personal touches that made the cinema special: “Me and my partner have been Bromley Picturehouse goers from the original refurbishment. We will really miss it.

“We often go at the weekends sometimes up to three times. Some of my favourite memories are… the barman preparing two glasses of house Rioja for our arrival.

“We turned up to a documentary which we were the only people booked to attend and they waited for us to arrive as ‘they figured it was who had booked’.”

Film director Aaron Truss, co-director of the Rob Knox London Film Festival, also shared his memories.

The festival, held in memory of Rob Knox, who played Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was recently announced to take place at the Picturehouse this year.

Aaron recalled: “Bromley Picturehouse, which was an Odeon at the time, was my first cinema trip with my parents. Chuck Russell's The Mask in 1994, followed by a summer of hits like Toy Story and Batman Forever.

“These cinema experiences defined me and what I do today, the magic of cinema in the heart of Bromley turned me into a filmmaker.

“I was a Bromley boy much like Rob Knox, so it was incredibly disappointing to find out that my friend's memorial would be removed only two weeks after we had an unveiling ceremony.

“Through its different ownerships, Picturehouse was the perfect host, especially with its loving staff."

The closure of Bromley Picturehouse, with its striking Art Deco architecture dating back to 1936 and designed by famed architect George Coles, marks the end of a longstanding cinema in the town.

The venue has welcomed film lovers for generations, echoing the golden years of cinema in the 1920s and 30s.

A spokesperson for Bromley Picturehouse stated: “We've made the tough decision to close Bromley Picturehouse. The last day of trading will be Thursday, August 1.

“Picturehouse Cinemas remains committed to growth and will have opened three new cinemas over the past six months. However, increasing operational costs and declining admissions have led to us making this difficult announcement.

“We'd like to thank our hard-working team and everyone who has visited us over the years and will contact Picturehouse Members about their membership in the coming days.”