The update comes days after it was revealed the longstanding cinema could be turned into a church
Odeon has confirmed the final trading day of its Beckenham branch following news the longstanding cinema could be turned into an evangelical church. The chain is exiting the Grade II-listed building on November 29, as shared in an email to newsletter subscribers yesterday evening (September 30).
The message reads: “We would like to thank you for choosing to visit Odeon Beckenham and for all the movie moments you’ve shared with us over the years. We hope to welcome you at another Odeon nearby, including Odeon Orpington and Odeon Streatham.”
The update comes days after it was revealed Citygate Church, the building’s owners, hope to turn the High Street site into a place of worship. The church group is making an application to Bromley Council that seeks to return the Art Deco cinema to a single auditorium and uncover decorative features that are currently hidden.
The exterior of the building will also be repaired and restored, according to an initial consultation page. A cinema since 1930, the potential change to the building’s use has sparked outcry from across Bromley and beyond, with many fearing the loss of an ‘essential cultural hub’.
More than 7,600 people have backed a petition calling for the local authority to work with cinema operators and investors in exploring alternative proposals. A smaller group is also attempting to secure Asset of Community Value status, protecting the historic building and giving the community more time to put forward its own plans.
Liam Conlon, the MP for Beckenham and Penge, previously announced his intention to meet with Citygate Church and Odeon to discuss the upset. However, as of now, film lovers have just two more months to make use of the cinema in its current form.
In a statement provided to MyLondon, Odeon said: “Odeon Cinemas has entered a voluntary commercial agreement with its landlord and will cease operating from the Beckenham cinema at the end of November 2026. The cinema will continue to welcome guests as usual until then.
“We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause. Supporting our team is our number one priority, and we will look to secure roles for as many affected colleagues as possible at our other cinema locations.
“We have been proud to serve our guests at Odeon Beckenham and to have brought years of film magic to the local community.”
The unit has been a film theatre for nearly 100 years, when The Regal Cinema opened its doors with a showing of The Rogue Song. It changed hands several times over the years before Odeon took on the lease in 2000.
The cinema has long been considered an iconic landmark and architectural gem, leading to much concern when a major fire broke out next door last September. Thankfully, the London Fire Brigade managed to stop the flames before they could spread.
Citygate Church is holding a public meeting about what the future could hold. The drop-in session is taking place at the church on Rectory Road from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, October 10. Beckenham residents can also share their views on the proposal via an online survey until 5pm on Tuesday, October 13.
You can find out more about Citygate Church’s proposal here
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