Plans have been announced to redevelop a banqueting suite in Dagenham back to its former glory as an art deco cinema.
The Embassy Cinema in Chadwell Heath opened back in 1934, offering film, theatre, live variety shows, organ performances and ballroom dancing to residents of the Barking and Dagenham borough.
It was closed in 1966 and has been used as a bingo hall and banqueting suite ever since, but for the past two years, the Chadwell Heath South Residents’ Association has been working alongside the buildings current owners Mayfair Venue on plans for the building to be redeveloped.
The project received a major boost regarding the restoration when the Embassy Cinema was listed as an Asset of Community Value back in 2017.
Residents now want to create a new cultural epicentre of Barking and Dagenham, by restoring the building to a two-screen cinema and shared community space in a project expected to cost around £3 million.
Ramanan Muraleetharan, chairman of the Residents’ Association said; “We have ambitious plans to make the Embassy Cinema one of London’s finest art deco experiences; the catalyst which results in a rejuvenation of the surrounding area that can have a lasting impact for generations.”
The project received the green light from both David Sin, Head of Cinemas at the Independent Cinema Office and Stefanie Fischer, of Burrell Foley Fischer Architects who presented a feasibility study for the project to residents last month.
They estimate that two screens would bring in 76,000 admissions in the first year and an extra 3,200 visits for live arts events, with comfortable seating, a cafe and bar area at the entrance to help boost footfall at the venue.
Discussions are now ongoing with all parties involved regarding the next steps for the project and the team at Brookings look forward to keeping you up to date with the development details as and when we know more!
