Campaigners warn fight to save former Bristol art deco cinema could be in ‘serious jeopardy’

Campaigners fighting to save a former Bristol art deco cinema have warned its future could be in ‘serious jeopardy’ after a new development. 

Developer Landrose wants to turn the St George’s Hall on Church Road, which contains the former Redfield Cinema, into HMO accommodation with commercial space on the ground floor.     

But the Save Redfield Cinema campaign wants to instead see the building turned into a community space and cinema with less housing. 

The 102-year-old cinema within St George’s Hall is mostly still intact and opened in 1912 before closing in 1961.

The building was upheld as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) last year after Landrose appealed twice against the ACV being granted. 

Now the developer plans to lease the commercial space, previously occupied by Wetherspoons, to an existing cafe/restaurant operator.   

The Save Redfield Cinema campaign has the opportunity to make an offer under the ACV listing. 

They intend to make a formal offer, but say Landrose has not responded to numerous attempts to make contact.  

The developer is not obligated to accept any offer and can negotiate with other parties if it rejects it. 

Campaigners suspect that the developer's intent to sell could be a strategy to wait out the ACV's six-month protection period before leasing to their preferred operator.  

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A spokesperson for the campaign said: "We want to be clear – if part of the building is leased or sold so that Landrose can raise funds to carry on with their HMO plan, it puts the future of Redfield Cinema in serious jeopardy.

"We are currently seeking legal advice and we will do everything possible to bring accessible community arts to Church Road.

“Please do lend your support, and keep rooting for East Bristol to resurrect this building of cultural heritage and future potential."

Around 1,000 local people made a formal objection to the Landrose’s original planning application in 2021, which was subsequently withdrawn, and a second application last year received a similar number of objections.

BristolWorld has attempted to contact Landrose for comment.