As with most London cinemas, the post-war decline in movie attendance hit hard and by the late 1970s it looked as if the wrecking ball would decide the fate of this historic movie house.

Luckily for all of us, the community rose up in protest, headed oddly enough by the local chapter of the Young Socialists, and collected more than 6,000 signatures in a petition to keep the cinema open. This display attracted the attention of the Greater London Council who then awarded a £325,000 grant to the newly formed Phoenix Cinema Trust.

The group purchased the cinema in 1985 and set about managing it as a community concern.

Through the next decade or so, modest improvements were made while the cinema’s managing board found their feet, but the public support and the influx of funds from a highly successful membership scheme eventually led to great things.

There have been great improvements lately, including new seating, a larger entrance area, digital projection equipment, and a café/bar area.

Films at the Phoenix Cinema generally range towards the unusual and classic. They show main features all week, which are usually independent or foreign films you might not get to see anywhere else in London.

Thursdays is the day for film classics, with a different one shown each week. The Kid’s Club shows a classic children’s film every Saturday, and the cinema has special events and a regular programme of operas.

The beautiful art deco auditorium is probably worth a trip all by itself, as much of the lovely old details have been preserved during the careful renovations done on this historic structure.

If cinemas in London are your cup of tea, make sure to add the Phoenix Cinema to your list of places to go.

Address: Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Road, East Finchley, N2 9PJ

Telephone: 020 8444 6789

Photo courtesy: RachelH_

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