At A Glance
It is heart-breaking to think that the Curzon Mayfair cinema is under threat of closure and re-development.
By Claire Bueno
Casting my mind back I have so many happy memories being at the Curzon Mayfair. Reporting from the red carpet we have spent many an hour rain, sleet or shine anticipating the arrival of A-list talent attending their premieres. Names that jump to mind are Samuel L. Jackson, Kirsten Dunst, Zac Efron, Gal Gadot and Andy Serkis, the list goes on. But it was at the Curzon Mayfair where I had the honour of interviewing World War II service men and women for a documentary called Spitfire, people who had put their lives on the line to secure our liberty, it was a unique and humbling opportunity, and one we will treasure.
Pre-dating WWII the Curzon Mayfair is nestled snuggly in the heart of one of London’s most desirable locations. Built in 1934 the cinema has serviced the community and has stalwartly remained Curzon cinema group’s flagship venue. With its Sixties Art Deco-inspired ceiling, original marble bathrooms, sophisticated bar and lavish main auditorium; you walk in and you are enveloped by history and you easily get swept away in the nostalgia by being in a true heritage building.
It is heart-breaking to think that this cinema is now under threat of closure and re-development.
The problem lies that if the owner puts the building up for sale within the next five years, community groups would have six months to raise enough money to buy it on the open market. With the property’s lease soon coming up for renewal, this threatens to end Curzon’s association with Mayfair after 90 years.
The end of Curzon’s lease would seriously risk the venue continuing as a distinctive art-house cinema which has been loved and valued by generations of Mayfair residents, and Londoners as a whole. There are also concerns that redevelopment plans being considered by the landlord would put Curzon Mayfair’s rare and iconic design features at risk.
Philip Knatchbull, Curzon CEO, commented: “We are proud stewards of the venue and hope this ruling strengthens our ability to continue acting in the best interest of the venue and the local community. The next six to twelve months will be most significant in the long history of Curzon’s presence at Curzon Street, Mayfair.”
The preservation of historic cinemas is a cause very close to our hearts at Premiere Scene and we ask you to spread the word to raise awareness and help save this iconic cinema.
Sign Petition
Nominator’s reasons for having sought the listing:
- The cinema is an integral part of the local community and is regarded as having critical social and community value
- The Cinema is the only public cinema in the Mayfair neighbourhood area
- Large numbers of Mayfair residents utilise the cinema
- The cinema is a major centrepiece for cultural activity in the area
- Local organisations and businesses use the cinema as an events space
- The cinema is highly valued by the public, as indicated by the number of signatories to a petition circulated in 2017 when there were concerns that the future of the cinema was then under threat
- Many local residents have a personal relationship with the cinema and the people who work there
Sign Petition
Happy memories, premieres at Curzon Mayfair
Glass - UK Premiere
Mowgli - Special Screening
Gal Gadot
Zac Efron
Claire Bueno
Claire Bueno is a film journalist, presenter and interviewer, having moderated BAFTA, Royal Television Society (RTS), Women in Film and Television (WFTV), and Apple Store Q&As and hosted Comic Con panel talks. Claire is the founder of Premiere Scene Magazine and has had the privilege of interviewing esteemed artists including Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sigourney Weaver, Emily Blunt, Samuel L Jackson, James Cameron and Andy Serkis.
As a media coach Claire works with leading personal publicists, HBO, Netflix, Sky, ITV, Penguin Random House, the BFI, DDA, MacMillan and Premier, offering practical coaching sessions and safe environment for talent to perfect their interview technique before facing the press. She has extensive experience working with emerging and seasoned professionals and where English is not their first language.
Additionally, Claire is the producer of the critically acclaimed feature documentary CLEANIN’ UP THE TOWN: Remembering Ghostbusters and the upcoming TOO HOT TO HANDLE: Remembering Ghostbusters II.