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Protests prompt Phoenix Cinema to drop Curzon takeover Protests prompt Phoenix Cinema to drop Curzon takeover
(34 minutes later)
One of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas has ditched plans to hand over control to a commercial operator following a backlash from thousands, including film directors and musicians.. One of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas has ditched plans to hand over control to a commercial operator following a backlash from thousands of supporters, including film directors and musicians..
The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, north London, had been due to have its operations and programming taken over by the Curzon Cinema group, raising the possibility the venue would lose its “unique identity and much loved atmosphere”, until the U-turnon Friday evening. The Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, north London, had been due to have its operations and programming taken over by the Curzon Cinema group, raising the possibility the venue would lose its “unique identity and much loved atmosphere”.
Film directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and comedian Michael Palin were among thousands of people who had publicly protested against the proposed handover. The film directors Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and the comedian Michael Palin were among thousands of people who had publicly protested against the proposed handover.
“The trust has listened to what staff and others have said and has now reached agreement with the Phoenix management that we will not go ahead with the Curzon partnership at this time,” the Phoenix Cinema Trust said. On Friday, the Phoenix Cinema Trust said it had listened to what staff and others had said and had agreed with the Phoenix management not to go ahead with the Curzon partnership.
“This will involve more fundraising, together with making sufficient changes in how the cinema is run so that its trading income can cover its running costs. We will seek to avoid job losses during this, but we have told staff that this cannot be guaranteed.” “This will involve more fundraising, together with making sufficient changes in how the cinema is run so that its trading income can cover its running costs,” the trust said in a statement.
It said that several years of unprofitable trading and the risk of insolvency had led the trust to consider different ways of breaking even. However, the manner in which the trust went about the proposed changes had angered local people and patrons.
The Phoenix Cinema’s management said: “We are pleased with this decision by the board and hope that it proves to be a turning point for the Phoenix Cinema’s strategy, as well as how the board and staff work together.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the local community and would like to thank everyone. We will do our very best to ensure the Phoenix can have a sustainable future as an independent community cinema.
In a statement Phoenix said: “We are pleased to announce that the Phoenix Cinema Trust has agreed to not go ahead with the Curzon partnership and seek new ways in which we can remain an independent community cinema.
“Staff in particular have strongly opposed any plan which means that the Phoenix is not operated independently. Their view is supported by many in the film industry, including some Phoenix patrons.“Staff in particular have strongly opposed any plan which means that the Phoenix is not operated independently. Their view is supported by many in the film industry, including some Phoenix patrons.
“Reactions within the local community have been more mixed with many people recognising that major changes may be necessary to keep the cinema open but many are keen to see the Phoenix remain independent.”“Reactions within the local community have been more mixed with many people recognising that major changes may be necessary to keep the cinema open but many are keen to see the Phoenix remain independent.”
The much-loved independent arthouse cinema was built in 1910 and opened in 1912 as the East Finchley Picturedrome, making it one of the oldest running cinemas in the UK and London’s oldest independent community cinema. It has been run as a charity by a board of trustees since. The trust said it would try to avoid job losses but it had told staff this could not be guaranteed.
It said several years of unprofitable trading and the risk of insolvency had led the trust to consider different ways of breaking even. However, the manner in which the trust went about the proposed changes angered local people and patrons.
The Phoenix Cinema’s management said it was pleased with the decision and hoped it would be a turning point for the cinema’s strategy, as well as board and staff relations.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the local community and would like to thank everyone,” management said. “We will do our very best to ensure the Phoenix can have a sustainable future as an independent community cinema.”
The independent arthouse cinema was built in 1910 and opened in 1912 as the East Finchley Picturedrome, making it one of the oldest running cinemas in the UK and London’s oldest independent community cinema. It has been run as a charity by a board of trustees since.
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