Have your say before 12 October
The building's owner, Citygate Church, plans to apply to Bromley Council to turn the cinema into a place of worship. Before it applies, it is running a public consultation, and your response goes on the record.
Citygate's website gives the deadline as Tuesday 13 October, 5pm, while its leaflet says Monday 12 October. Aim for Monday to be safe.
Tips for a response that counts
- Use the free-text boxes. Your own words carry more weight than ticked options.
- Say what the cinema means to you: how often you go, who you go with, what you'd lose.
- Keep it courteous and about the building's use. This is a question of planning and of the town's only cinema, and it has nothing to do with anyone's faith.
Source: Citygate Church in Beckenham consultation website, beckenham.site (archived 26 September 2026).
Saturday 10 October
10am to 2pm
Citygate Church, 22 Rectory Road, Beckenham BR3 1JA
Citygate asks people to register on its website first. Go along, look at the plans, ask questions, and then fill in the survey.
One campaign
Lots of people had the same idea at the same time, which is wonderful. It also means there's a risk of five groups each doing a fifth of the job. Councils listen hardest to one clear, well-organised voice.
So if you want to help, or you've started something of your own, come and join us. Bring your idea and we'll do our best to make it work inside the campaign, with your name on it.
Why one nomination matters
We're nominating the cinema as an Asset of Community Value. Bromley Council decides each nomination on its merits, and one strong nomination carrying everyone's names is far more persuasive than several partial ones competing for attention. That's why we're asking everyone to add their name to a single nomination instead of starting their own.
Who we are
Friends of Beckenham Cinema is a group of local residents who want the building to keep showing films. We're in touch with our ward councillors and our MP, and exploring interest from cinema operators.
Add your name to the nomination
If you live in Bromley and you're on the electoral register, you can add your name to our nomination to list the cinema as an Asset of Community Value.
What is an Asset of Community Value?
Under the Localism Act 2011, a community group can ask its council to list a building that furthers the community's social wellbeing or interests. If it's listed and the owner later wants to sell, community groups get a window to prepare a bid. Listing also shows the council, on the record, how much the building matters locally.
The form asks for your address because the council checks every name against the electoral register. Your details go to a private list held by the group and to Bromley Council for that check, and nowhere else.
Source: Localism Act 2011, Part 5, Chapter 3.
Two petitions, two jobs
The Change.org petition has already gathered a lot of support, and it's what the press quote. Please sign it and share it.
Bromley Council formally counts only petitions made on its own website or on paper with each signer's name and address. So we're preparing a council petition too, and we're checking the wording with the council first so nobody's signature is wasted. We'll ask Change.org signers to add their names once it's ready.
The building
The cinema opened as the Regal on 22 September 1930, designed by the architect Robert Cromie. It has also traded as the ABC, Cannon and MGM before becoming the Odeon.
Historic England listed it at Grade II on 21 January 1998, as the Odeon Cinema and Regal Ballroom.
Sources: Historic England list entry 1031565; Cinema Treasures.
Latest
- 30 Sep 2026We've asked Bromley Council's Democratic Services how a petition about the cinema can be validly worded.
- 29 Sep 2026Friends of Beckenham Cinema formed. Work begins on the Asset of Community Value nomination.
Join us
Leave your email and we'll tell you when it's time to act: when the planning application goes in, when the council petition opens, and when we need people in the room.
Join the campaignSign-up form to be added
Got an idea, a skill or a contact? We'd love to hear it.
Email address to be added