“Look out in the new Picturehouse Cafe for the Art Deco screens from the former Co-op in Widmore Road.
This was a fine building from the same date as the Picturehouse which the Council acquired and demolished in 1987 to relocate the UR Church to build the Glades. Myself and friends spent some a hair raising days in the demolition site rescuing the screens from around the stairwell. ” BCS Chairman, Tony Banfield, tells us:
“They’ve been in my garage for the past 30 years like sleeping beauty waiting for the kiss of life. That kiss finally came from Clare Binns, CEO of the Picturehouse, and they are now being incorporated into the design of the new cafe area, beautifully restored. This double conservation project is almost unbelievable in Bromley where demolition of heritage has been the order of the day for years.
Ironically, in the recently approved Council Local Plan, the Cinema like the old Co-op was included in Council redevelopment proposals . In its faith in restoration of this fine Art Deco Cinema the Picturehouse Company has demonstrated what Bromley Civic Society has been saying for years, that Bromley’s heritage should be recognised as one of its greatest trading assets.
Congratulations PictureHouse and here’s to future success.”
Browse our old photos, in 
from being dominated by tower blocks: Look here and email our ward councillors about:
*