News / Redfield Cinema
Campaign to save derelict Redfield Cinema intensifies
A campaign to save Redfield Cinema, which remains derelict, has intensified, as a planning application from the building owners to turn the site into new housing has been appealed.
The Save Redfield Cinema is a campaign group which hopes to bring the art deco venue back to life.
The venue that holds the status of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) on Church Road, had been home to a pub for over 20 years, previously owned by Wetherspoons.
The old cinema is located at the top of the building.
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Despite several planning application withdrawals beginning in 2022, building owners Landrose have put in an appeal to allow the site to be turned into a HMO consisting of 42 beds, together with an associated Gym and communal workspace.
In the proposal they outline the aim to remove the drinking establishment floorspace for a commercial floorspace.
Campaigners have now urged its followers for support and guidance as the decision of the appeal will lie with the Planning Inspectorate.
In an post shared to Instagram they said: “This is new territory for the campaign and we would welcome advice from anyone experienced with the planning inspectorate process.”
The original pub sign has now been painted – photo: Hannah Massoudi
The group aspired for the cinema to return to screening films, as well as proposing that the space provides a further opportunity for everything from stand-up comedy to debates, conferences, live music and a community kitchen.
However, they previously alleged that the building owners outright rejected Save Redfield Cinema’s offer to lease the building stating “health and safety concerns over the auditorium and their liability as landlords.”
Hope that the cinema could remain incorporated into the building came in August 2024, when it became known that The Crafty Egg had planned to take over part of the building.
The campaigners welcomed proposition and potential collaboration between the groups to enable them to restore the cinema back to working order.
While The Crafty Egg now has part ownership of the building, the hope has dwindled.
The Church Road cafe is one of several of The Crafty Egg cafes in Bristol – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Outrage over the proposals have continued steady over the few years, with more recent objection comments from residents saying that they believed the proposals to be “outrageous” and that more community spaces were needed, adding that “flats are being built everywhere and sterilising our high street”.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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