The moment that matters
Citygate Church, which owns the building, has said it will apply to Bromley Council for permission to turn the cinema into a place of worship. When it applies, anyone can comment on the application, and comments that raise planning issues are part of what the council weighs before deciding.
That's when your voice counts most. The application hasn't been submitted yet. Get campaign updates and we'll tell you the day it is, with a short guide to writing a comment that counts.
Sources: Citygate Church in Beckenham public consultation materials, September 2026; London Borough of Bromley, Viewing and commenting on planning applications.
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. This is the only place we ask for your address, because the council checks every name against the register.
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.
Council petition: coming soon. Join us and we'll tell you the moment it opens.
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
- Sep 2026Citygate Church is running its own pre-application consultation, organised by its consultants, until mid-October. It is separate from this campaign and from the council's planning process. The formal moment to have your say is when a planning application is submitted, and we'll tell you when that happens.
- 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.
Get campaign updates
All we need is your email address. We'll use it to tell you when it's time to act: the day the planning application goes in, when the council petition opens, and when we need people in the room. Nothing else, and you can leave any time.
Got an idea, a skill or a contact? We'd love to hear it at hello@saveourscreenbeckenham.org.uk