A COUPLE are launching the first pop up cinema in Sidcup - 11 years after the only cinema in the area closed.

Jenny Merritt and 28-year-old Sam Offord, of Lewis Road, are funding the project themselves and are relying on friends and family for help.

The ABC cinema in the High Street closed in August 2000 and has since been converted into flats after proposals for a nightclub never materialised.

Miss Merritt said: "Cinema is an art form. It's something everyone can share and enjoy.

"If nothing else, it's something me and Sam enjoy so much we wanted to share that with other people.

"We thought it would be a fun and nice thing to do.

"It's a good time of year to do it when people are looking to do more inexpensive activities indoors."

The 26-year-old added: "We are hoping it will encourage people to spend time locally which will help businesses and create a safer and nicer environment to live in."

The Blues Brothers will be shown at Sidcup and Footscray United Services Club, in Main Road, on November 9.

Doors will open at 7pm and the screening will begin at 8pm.

Miss Merritt said: "We have a big cinema screen over 6ft with a proper film projector. There will be seats laid out and a refreshment area.

"We are lucky enough to know people with all the equipment."

The marketing assistant added: "The beauty of a pop-up cinema is we are not tied to a venue. We hope to have more inventive venues in the future."

People over 18 are invited to the monthly event, which will screen new and classic movies for £4.50.

Miss Merritt said: "We are charging for tickets to cover the cost of the licences we have had to pay for. We also wanted to get a pop corn machine.

"Any profit we do make will go back into the project."

For tickets, visit eventelephant.com/sidcupcinema