The Bromley Picturehouse, a vintage cinema cherished by many local residents, closed its doors on August 1 due to increasing operational costs and declining admissions - but a passionate community campaign has risen in response, asserting that "this is not the end, but the beginning."

The closure of Bromley Picturehouse has struck a chord with the local community.

The cinema, known for its classic film screenings and unique atmosphere, has been an integral part of Bromley's cultural landscape.

Jon Lock, a local resident, initiated a petition to save the Picturehouse, quickly garnering over 5,500 signatures.

Jon’s petition emphasises the cinema as a "haven" and an essential part of Bromley's local identity.

"This is not the end, but it is the beginning," Jon stated as the Picturehouse showed its final screenings of iconic classic films.

Many fear that the cinema's closure would mean losing a piece of Bromley's history, but the community's desire to preserve this cultural hub remains strong.

In response to the growing support, the Save Bromley Picturehouse movement has expanded, forming a dedicated committee to strategize and advocate for the cinema's future.

The committee, comprised of local residents and leaders, includes:

• Rob Carrick - Chair

• Olivia Jane - Secretariat

• Jon Lock - Media and Communications

• Michael Burnstead - Strategy and Planning

• Jeanette Jones - Workstreams Lead

• David Dawson - Data

• Helen Dawson - Project Management

• Cllr Sam Webber - Council and Politics

• Kevin Gooding – Treasurer

The committee's approach is collaborative and forward-thinking, aiming to preserve the cinema in some form or look for alternative options to celebrate and preserve arthouse cinema and other creative work in Bromley.

They recognize that external factors, including economic challenges, led to the closure decision and seek to work constructively to safeguard the cinema's legacy.

Jon, who began the petition, shared how the campaign grew into something more substantial: “I was trying to conjure the feelings of the locals and see if there was something worth mobilizing.

“When we had the meeting, it was very clear that many people felt passionate about the future of independence in Bromley. That's how we met as a committee, started talking, and realized there was real passion among us."

Rob Carrick, the chair of the committee, added: “People like Jon, Michael, and myself gravitated towards the centre and tried to organize. We realized that there was actually something else here that we could harness.

“What we are repeatedly saying is, yes, we're losing this facility, but we're not losing the community.

“Then the question becomes, what do we do next? How can we galvanize this passion, this energy, and this desire to be part of this film-loving community? How can we bring all that together?"

Michael Burnstead, who is leading strategy and planning, echoed these sentiments: “We've said as a committee and as a much wider group, it's hard for all of us, and we all hold this place very dear. It's nothing compared to how it is for the staff who put so much into this.

“As we've said, it's a small but very important part of our lives. We've probably been in the same space as each other before, sat in Screen One with a load of other people, shuffled in, watched the film, and shuffled out again.

“But now, the idea is to start doing something that brings more of these people together.

“We talk about films, we meet together, and we do other things as well. To me, there's something even more powerful that can come out of this."

Michael further emphasized the importance of preserving the building: “We have to face the reality that Picturehouse had economic challenges, and that may make it difficult for other people to consider that.

“But what we also want to do first and foremost is try and make sure the building is preserved for the future. Some of the architecture is classic, brilliant."

In terms of committee selection, Michael explained: “It was very much about the skill sets that people had and the particular roles that developed and grew that way.

“This isn’t the type of campaign with placards, banners, and posters because there isn’t anyone to protest against.

“Picturehouse didn't want to close this site. Why would they have opened it and spent all that money on it if they did? Circumstances, environment, and industry have changed, and it wouldn’t make sense to protest against that.

“What we want is to work in an adult and collaborative way."

The Save Bromley Picturehouse movement stands as a testament to the power of community and the shared love for local culture.

The committee is determined to find a way to preserve the cinema, or at the very least the community that has grown here, and continue its legacy for future generations.

News Shopper expects to hear updates from the Save Bromley Picturehouse team in the coming weeks.