Phoenix Finds New Future in Curzon Chain by John Lawrence the Independent Phoenix Cinema Is on the Point of Becoming Part of the National Curzon Cinemas Chain
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Local News is our Aim 25 years 1993-2018 The 20p ISSN 1361-3952 where sold Archer October 2018 No. 294 A community newspaper for East Finchley run entirely by volunteers. Phoenix finds new future in Curzon chain By John Lawrence The independent Phoenix Cinema is on the point of becoming part of the national Curzon Cinemas chain. The charitable Phoenix Trust will retain ownership of the listed building but hand over the day-to-day opera- tions of the cinema, to be renamed the Curzon Phoenix East Finchley. Trust members say the deal, being surrendered and Curzon still to be finalised, is essential will ultimately be able to make for the long-term survival of the its own decisions about staff- 106-year-old picture house, run ing and programming. They on a not-for-profit basis since want the Trust to consider 1985 but now facing dwindling alternatives like community revenues. Annual admissions fundraising to keep the cinema fell from 100,000 to 75,000 in going as an independent, point- the last four years. ing out that the Phoenix raised New management: The Phoenix Cinema has been independent since 1985. Photo Mike Coles. A Save the Phoenix cam- more than £1 million for its paign began as soon as the news centenary restoration project. was announced. Campaigners Lauren Wright, from the Thieves steal say the decision has been made Save the Phoenix campaign, without consulting staff or the said: “Rather than building on from studio community and claim there are this, fundraising has been lim- A computer, monitor and better alternatives which would ited. Save The Phoenix is calling several cameras were preserve the cinema’s ethos. An on the board to pause, listen to stolen from a studio in online petition calling for the the community, and make sure Huntingdon Road, N2, Phoenix to stay independent they have exhausted all other when opportunistic thieves had gathered 3,000 signatures options before going down this spotted that keys had been as we went to press. extreme path.” left in a door. Why is the deal The campaign said the The items were taken from Curzon deal had been arranged being made? without consultation with any the art and music studio in The ten members of the staff or the local community Huntingdon Works during the Board of Trustees, all vol- for whom the Phoenix Cinema EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL Friday night of the August bank unteers, say general changes Trust was set up. holiday. in cinema-going habits and 38 High Road London N2 9PJ The Trust argues that it CCTV footage appears to increased local competition had to maintain confidential- 08002793463 - 02084447994 show two people sheltering from from the likes of the Everyman ity around the deal until it was the rain under the premises’ in Muswell Hill have hit ticket secure enough to make public arch and then entering after sales badly, leaving them with and states that the cinema will seeing the key in the door. They less money to invest in the future remain in local hands as the leave five minutes later with of the Phoenix. Trust will retain ownership of several items and then return at Trustee Alison Gold told The the building and continue to midnight to carry more away. Archer: “The cinema is at seri- oversee community and educa- The burglary was reported ous risk of insolvency and the tion activities for local people. when the owners turned up trust is working hard to avoid for work on the Tuesday that. We have considered other What impact will it have? morning. Police are currently options, including remaining Phoenix staff have been told Find your new home today... investigating. independent, but believe that a that their jobs will be transferred partnership with Curzon offers to the new operators and that Successful independent estate agent, established since 1992 greater security as well as they will be paid the London Residential and commercial, sales, lettings and management specialists In this issue bringing some new benefits to Living Wage for the first time. Our friendly and helpful staff provide a professional and genuine service 40 High Road, East Finchley Plans for Bobath site..........p3 the Phoenix staff and its com- Save the Phoenix campaigners Our office is situated 100 yards from East Finchley Station London N2 9PJ Fun Palace.........................p3 munity.” argue that there is no guarantee www.primelocations.co.uk Police seek assault victims...p4 What are the concerns? redundancies won’t be made [email protected] once the transfer is complete. Estate Agents Valuations Sales Lettings Campaigners say the inde- 020 8883 9090 Archer Academy admission Overseas Properties Management Services changes............................p7 pendence of the Phoenix is Continued on page 2. • Visit us online at www.the-archer.co.uk or Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TheArcherN2 • 2 OCTOBER 2018 The Archer - www.the-archer.co.uk The Archer USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS PO Box 3699, London N2 2DE Councils Help & Advice Drinkline 0800 917 8282 www.the-archer.co.uk Email: [email protected] Barnet Childline 0800 1111 Drugs Helpline 0800 776600 @TheArcherN2 www.facebook.com/TheArcherN2 Admin/Town Hall 020 8359 2000 Citizens Advice Barnet 0300 4568365 Health Info Service 0800 665544 Voicemail (messages only) 0800 612 0748 for editorial and general Council Tax 020 8359 2608 Cruse Bereavement Care 0870 167 MIND 020 8343 5700 Recycling & refuse 020 8359 4600 1677 National Blood Centre 0845 7 711 7711 enquiries or 0800 612 4027 for Advertising enquiries only Primary Care Trust 020 8201 4700 Disability Info Service 020 8359 7637 Crime Published by Editorial Team Finance & Benefits Agency 020 8258 6500 EF Advice Service 0300 4568365 Emergency 999 East Finchley Newspapers Diana Cormack Advertising Employment Service 020 8258 3900 Lone Parent Centre 020 7021 4146 Police non-emergency 101 Copy Editor Daphne Chamberlain John Dearing Haringey Council 020 8489 0000 Missing Persons Helpline 0500 700700 CrimeStoppers 0800 555111 John Lawrence Sub Editors Distribution National Debt Line 0808 808 4000 Victim Support 0845 303 0900 Production Editor Ann Bronkhorst Toni Morgan Leisure NSPCC 0800 800500 Jeff Robson Jane & David Marsh Alison Roberts Alexandra Palace 020 8365 2121 Rape & Sexual Abuse helpline Hospitals Printed By Picture Editor Sharman & Co Ltd East Finchley Library 020 8359 3815 020 8683 3300 NHS 111 Mike Coles Gt North Leisure Park 0870 240 6020 Relate 020 8447 8101 Barnet General 020 8216 4000 Thank you to The Bald Faced Stag and New Local Cafe for providing us with a Muswell Hill Everyman 0871 9069060 RSPCA 0300 1234 999 Edgware General 020 8952 2381 meeting place. 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From page 1 how they compare Non-material amendment to plan- Depth 3m, eaves height 3.2m, Curzon Cinemas told us Curzon’s other London cinemas are in Aldgate, ning permission dated 19/03/18 maximum height 3.2m. the film programme at the new Bloomsbury, Mayfair, Richmond, Soho, Victoria and for roof extension, side/rear exten- 23 Elmhurst Avenue, N2 Phoenix will be in line with Wimbledon; it also runs cinemas in Canterbury, sion with terrace, access steps Single-storey rear extension. what it already screens. Director Colchester, Knutsford, Oxford, Ripon and Sheffield. and hard standing. Amendments Depth 5m, eaves height 3m, of Cinema Development Rob Richmond is the only London venue to have a single screen include first-floor rear projecting maximum height 3m. Kenny said: “We want to retain like the Phoenix so The Archer compared programmes and box, one new rear window, one Wellington Place, Great North the identity the Phoenix has new side window, and one new Road, N2 prices between the two: skylight. Addition of two new floors at third built up and show great films. In the cinema week begin- Ticket prices for the Satur- We don’t run homogenised 96 Brim Hill, N2 and fourth floor level to four blocks ning Friday 28 September, day evening showing of Cold Single-storey rear extension to of existing two-bedroom flats, to cinemas. We will see what the the Curzon Richmond was War at the Curzon were £16.50 East Finchley audience wants existing converted garage, with provide an additional seven two- showing Cold War (15), The for adults and £14 for seniors new French door. bed duplex apartments. Associ- and programme accordingly. Little Stranger (12A) and and students. Prices for the Sat- Maybe we’ll take a few chances 49 Chandos Road, N2 ated parking, refuse and recycling Faces Places (12A) every urday evening showing of The Lawful Development Certificate for store and cycle store.