Do we want a cinema?

[jim_the_chin]

I know it's se23 but don't lounge me!

Every day i go past the Capitol pub in forest hill and every day I think what a shame it is a cinema no more. It has fantastic architecture, a great location for us ED'ers (upper east side especially) and, er, well it wouldn't be that manky old pub any more. I know there's the multiplex and the ritzy near-by but it's such a prime location it's a wasted opportunity.

So i dropped wetherspoons a line here:

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/feedback/product/suggestion.php#section-header

and wondered if anyone wanted to do the same.

[Shu.Kurimu.Sensei]

I know what you mean, but I like it as it is, a nice quiet pub with great staff, decent beer and good grub! :))

There's tons of good cinemas less than an hour from East Dulwich, the Electric in Brixton and the Prince Charles spring to mind.

Also there's not one decent working class pub left in East Dulwich they've all been ruined, so lets hope this one is left alone eh?

[Keef]

Have you visited The Castle?

I've not been in the Capitol for ages, but I think it's pretty good as far as weatherspoons g. And the staff have always seemed very nice.

[Jah Lush]

I used to go there a lot when it was a cinema when I was a youngster and bloody nice it was too and I'd love it if it was returned to it's former glory. It could double as venue for gigs too. Wouldn't be seen dead in there now though.

[KalamityKel]

Would be nice to be wiv in walking distance or an easy 24hr bus ride for those late nite showings from a nice cinema...

[char1ie]

What did you say to Weatherspoons, Jim? Have you asked them to vacate the premises so that you can turn it into a cinema? Or have you asked them to run the pub as a cinema?

I'm going to guess that the reason the cinema closed is that it isn't a viable business.

Charlie

[jim_the_chin]

I think i asked whether it could fulfil both functions and pointed out it would be a real flagship bringing loads of publicity for JDW. I have no designs myself on doing anything.

The picture house in clapham has a small bar attached, this place seems large enough. Other bars, like the sun and doves, also seem to be able to show films so the licensing probably wouldn't be a problem. Perhaps the equipment and running costs would be prohibitive.

Maybe it wasn't viable in the past but I'm guessing now there's more disposable 30-something income in the area than when it closed down.

[Keef]

Love Jah's idea of it being a gigging venue, that would be bloody cool!

[Jah Lush]

Well, I've said it before, the Stones and the Who played there in the early 60s so it has doubled as a cinema/venue before. There would seem to be a market for both now as people on this Forum have expressed in the past for such a place to go to locally.

[KalamityKel]

Would be fab to have a concert type venue in the area. Somewhere that isnt Brixton Academy or the Fairfield Halls :)

[carter39]

Actually, East Dulwich used to have it's own cinema - the Odeon - which shut down in 1972. It was situated at 72 Grove Vale:

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[SeanMacGabhann]

Not in ED but I notice the new development by Bermondsey Market is to include an "arthouse cinema"

Now it takes me no longer than 30 mins to get from Plough to that spot every day so will be reasonably convenient for Eddites when it opens

[lozzyloz]

Not far from ED but I hear The Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley is under threat from developers, who have offered the owners 10 million quid to knock it down and build new flats. I've never been inside but have heard that the interior is quite special.