Derelict Hackney cinema to show films again nearly 60 years after it closed

Original: The Castle Cinema opened in 1913 and was closed in 1958
dusashenka, flickr
Jamie Bullen17 April 2016

A derelict cinema in Hackney is poised to reopen once again nearly 60 years after it showed its last film.

Business couple Asher Charman, 31, and Danielle Swift, 26, launched a £45,000 Kickstarter last month campaign to revive the Castle Cinema in Chatsworth Road.

And the entrepreneurs dream is set to become reality after smashing their target with £57,000 raised through donations.

Mr Charman said they had been “blown away” by support shown for the cinema’s reopening.

Humbled: Asher Charman and Danielle Swift raised £57,000 after launching a £45,000 Kickstarter campaign
Asher Charman

He said: “We've been humbled by the response.

“We are enormously grateful to everyone who has pledged, shared and supported us through the Kickstarter campaign and blown away that we surpassed our goal to reach 125% of funding.

“This is brilliant proof that there is demand to bring beautiful old buildings such as this back into their original use.”

“Even from the first time we went to Chatsworth Road market to hand out flyers people have been so enthused.

Mixed use: The building has been used as a bingo hall, warehouse and snooker hall
David Simpson

“There was a real sense of people making it a personal mission to get the cinema open which has given us encouragement this is going to be appreciated.”

Mr Charman said work can now start to create the cinema ahead of an expected opening in June.

He said the aim was to provide a mix of independent and blockbuster films along with community events such as film festivals and National Theatre screenings.

Popular pop-ups: The couple set up the hugely successful Pillow and Hot Tub Cinema in Hackney
Asher Charman

The historic picturehouse, described as one of London’s original cinemas, opened in 1913 until 1958 before it later became a bingo club, warehouse and snooker hall.

For the past decade it has remained vacant on top of a convenience store until it was spotted by the couple, who set up pop-up film events such as Pillow and Hot Tub cinema.

Hackney Council said it has backed the project which was given planning permission for a first floor bar and cinema in 2013.

To see the Kickstarter campaign click here.

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