Programming has taken a real turn for the worse lately, mostly consisting of relatively mainstream yet second-rate films that seem to run for weeks on end, with the odd Bollywood film thrown in. Curious as to what their strategy is.
Seems to have abandoned its typical programming of the less mainstream films and is showing pure Hollywood stuff now, and seemingly doing quite well out of it. But structually this place is just limping along… the ceiling on the way down to screen two is still water damaged and crumbling, and rather than replace the foam that’s come away from certain armrests they’ve just put black tape over the wood!
Might we see some kind of refurb or rebranding announced shortly after Picturehouse Central opens?
This gives a good idea of the plans: http://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/files/93DA31A65D443CD6C7055EFA366DBBFB/pdf/13_09849_FULL-TROCADERO_DESIGN_ACCESS_AND_HERITAGE_STATEMENT-3180371.pdf
A planning application has been made to turn this into a Picturehouse cinema complete with new ground floor entrance, cafebar etc.
From Westminster council’s website:
13/09849/FULL | Use of part ground, first, second, third, and fourth floors as a mixed use cinema, cafe, and members' bar Sui Generis. Erection of new roof terrace at fourth floor for use as members' bar which is enclosed by new railings and accessed by a new stair core on Coventry Street elevation. Erection of three canopies over proposed fourth floor terrace. Installation of replacement windows at third and fourth floor levels on Coventry Street and Great Windmill Street elevations. Installation of replacement ground floor shopfront to colonnade on Great Windmill Street. Installation of two pairs of gates in existing ground floor railings on Great Windmill Street elevation. Erection of three awning at front ground floor level on Great Windmill Street elevation. Installation of two dormer windows in roofslope at fourth floor level on Coventry Street elevation. Installation of new plant at fourth floor and roof level. Internal alterations. | 7-14 Coventry Street London W1D 6DG
Ah yes found the article now, thanks. Since I’ve started working on the King’s Road I’ve started to frequent that cinema, and it’s not a bad little place.
Cineworld annual report has a section on new openings, and says “Haymarket TSR (5)”. Presumably this means total refurbishment and turning 3 screens into 5. I wonder how they will do this? Hoping they don’t dare carve up screen 1! The site does need some serious TLC though.
Is this cinema feeling the pinch? Now advertising all tickets for all screens at £9.95 all day, every day. Seems an odd tactic for what should be a premier venue and must make it the cheapest first-run cinema in the West End
Photos taken by English Heritage in 2001 including the former circle bar, now used as storage. Lots of water damage which seems to be recurring. http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/reference.aspx?uid=144281&index=384&mainQuery=cinema&searchType=all&form=home
Tweeted today about it being a shame that a big chunk of the plasterwork has recently fallen down at the back of screen 1 and the cinema needing TLC or a refurb and Cineworld Haymarket tweeted back: “We very much agree! We’re working on getting building improvements underway soon…”
Wonder what that’ll bring? Just structural fixes or something more?
The smaller screens on the top floor have finally gone digital. Rather glad of that as the quality of projection in some of those screens was often laughably bad! Also seems to have gained the benefit of music before films instead of a hissing noise.
Wow, I’ve waited at the bus stop opposite so many times and never noticed this detail.
This cinema is getting a Starbucks – no idea whether this will replace or be in addition to the existing bar.
Appeal has been allowed and the owner of the site has permission to demolish the building. I wonder when this cinema will close?
Programming has taken a real turn for the worse lately, mostly consisting of relatively mainstream yet second-rate films that seem to run for weeks on end, with the odd Bollywood film thrown in. Curious as to what their strategy is.
An appeal against the decision is currently in progress.
Off to the launch event tonight – looks great in the photos!
Seems to have abandoned its typical programming of the less mainstream films and is showing pure Hollywood stuff now, and seemingly doing quite well out of it. But structually this place is just limping along… the ceiling on the way down to screen two is still water damaged and crumbling, and rather than replace the foam that’s come away from certain armrests they’ve just put black tape over the wood!
Might we see some kind of refurb or rebranding announced shortly after Picturehouse Central opens?
The Dalek is now down the road at Cineworld Haymarket.
The latest planning application was refused (on 5 February). Case reference PP/14/07843. I’m pleased!
The planning application for the new development has been refused and appealed so this cinema will be with us for a while yet.
The repaint is just that – a repaint! Still with all the Virgin/UGC style signage and colours, and Cineworld purple carpet.
Currently receiving a full re-paint inside.
This gives a good idea of the plans: http://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/files/93DA31A65D443CD6C7055EFA366DBBFB/pdf/13_09849_FULL-TROCADERO_DESIGN_ACCESS_AND_HERITAGE_STATEMENT-3180371.pdf
A planning application has been made to turn this into a Picturehouse cinema complete with new ground floor entrance, cafebar etc.
From Westminster council’s website:
13/09849/FULL | Use of part ground, first, second, third, and fourth floors as a mixed use cinema, cafe, and members' bar Sui Generis. Erection of new roof terrace at fourth floor for use as members' bar which is enclosed by new railings and accessed by a new stair core on Coventry Street elevation. Erection of three canopies over proposed fourth floor terrace. Installation of replacement windows at third and fourth floor levels on Coventry Street and Great Windmill Street elevations. Installation of replacement ground floor shopfront to colonnade on Great Windmill Street. Installation of two pairs of gates in existing ground floor railings on Great Windmill Street elevation. Erection of three awning at front ground floor level on Great Windmill Street elevation. Installation of two dormer windows in roofslope at fourth floor level on Coventry Street elevation. Installation of new plant at fourth floor and roof level. Internal alterations. | 7-14 Coventry Street London W1D 6DG
Ah yes found the article now, thanks. Since I’ve started working on the King’s Road I’ve started to frequent that cinema, and it’s not a bad little place.
Where’s the news about Chelsea from?
Cineworld annual report has a section on new openings, and says “Haymarket TSR (5)”. Presumably this means total refurbishment and turning 3 screens into 5. I wonder how they will do this? Hoping they don’t dare carve up screen 1! The site does need some serious TLC though.
Recently had new foyer carpet and all circulation areas repainted.
Is this cinema feeling the pinch? Now advertising all tickets for all screens at £9.95 all day, every day. Seems an odd tactic for what should be a premier venue and must make it the cheapest first-run cinema in the West End
At long last the missing plaster in screen 1 has been replaced, but not yet painted to match.
Photos taken by English Heritage in 2001 including the former circle bar, now used as storage. Lots of water damage which seems to be recurring. http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/reference.aspx?uid=144281&index=384&mainQuery=cinema&searchType=all&form=home
Tweeted today about it being a shame that a big chunk of the plasterwork has recently fallen down at the back of screen 1 and the cinema needing TLC or a refurb and Cineworld Haymarket tweeted back: “We very much agree! We’re working on getting building improvements underway soon…”
Wonder what that’ll bring? Just structural fixes or something more?
According to a planning application for the redevelopment of part of the Trocadero complex into a hotel, seating capacities are:
Screen 1 – 205
Screen 2 – 505 Screen 3 – 155 Screen 4 – 84 Screen 5 – 83 Screen 6 – 97 Screen 7 – 164
The smaller screens on the top floor have finally gone digital. Rather glad of that as the quality of projection in some of those screens was often laughably bad! Also seems to have gained the benefit of music before films instead of a hissing noise.
Sorry, missed the link! View link
In the top right of this pic you can see the entrance to this cinema in its guise as MGMM in 1994.