Photo: rpb1001/ flikr

A community group has moved one step closer to bringing a cinema to Crystal Palace.   The Picture Palace campaign has been pressing for a big screen in the area since 2009.

Last week Bromley council gave conditional permission to a cinema development company to transform a pub into an entertainment venue.

Future Projections, a cinema development company from West Norwood, has been allowed to convert the Grape and Grain  and the Bigger Picture gallery at the top of Anerley Hill, near to Crystal Palace train and overground station.

The cinema will serve the community of Crystal Palace, who have not had a local big screen for over 40 years.

Future Projections have outlined plans to construct a two screen cinema, giving locals the chance to have the latest films shown right on their doorstep.

Councilor Alexa Michael, Chair of Bromley Council Development Control Committee, said: “We recognise the need to provide a mixture of uses in the area for the local community. A cinema would benefit the local economy and bring visitors to the area.”

Bromley council agreed that the company should begin to develop the project within the next three years and provide more disabled parking spaces.

The cinema has been given permission to operate seven days a week, between the hours of 09:30am and 11:30pm.