Protect the Curzon Mayfair and London’s cultural sector

With the future of the iconic Grade II listed Curzon Mayfair under threat, the Mayor is being urged to step in and help protect one of London’s most treasured art-house cinemas.

The London Assembly believes that closing Curzon Mayfair could have an adverse impact on London’s cultural offering and economy, with the cinema’s landlord refusing to grant a new lease.

Because of this, it has today agreed a motion calling for the Mayor to contact the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and urge the Government to help support the campaign to protect the building.

Zack Polanski AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“The future of the iconic Grade II listed Curzon Mayfair is under threat, after the cinema’s landlord refused to grant a new lease.

“I am pleased that the London Assembly, today, passed this motion recognising the value of the cinema to London’s cultural offering and economy, as well as the decades of creative enrichment the historic cinema has provided Londoners, through a programme of film and events, alongside numerous premieres, as well as outreach to the local community.

"It is my hope that the Mayor will intervene and progress steps to support the campaign to save the Curzon Mayfair."

Sakina Sheikh AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“I am pleased to second this motion calling for the Curzon Mayfair cinema to have its lease renewed and protect it from closure.

“London is alive with culture thanks to the wonderful diversity of communities in this city. Our cultural assets are also a cornerstone of history and cultural vibrancy, like the Curzon Mayfair, especially after a tough few years for the industry.

“There has been a huge outpouring of support with over 20,000 people signing a petition and Westminster Council have rightly listed it as an Asset of Community Value.

“Our motion calls on the Mayor and the Government to help save the cinema from threat of closure and I am pleased to see the Assembly support this call.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly expresses concern that the future of the iconic Grade II listed Curzon Mayfair is under threat once again, after the cinema’s landlord refused to grant a new lease.

This Assembly notes that Westminster City Council designated the Curzon Mayfair an Asset of Community Value, and notes with concern the jeopardy this development places on the future of Curzon’s association with Mayfair, after nearly 90 years.

This Assembly recognises the importance of the company’s presence in Mayfair to London’s cultural offering and economy and further recognises the decades of creative enrichment the historic cinema has provided Londoners, through a programme of film and events, alongside numerous premieres, as well as outreach to the local community.

That this Assembly notes with deep concern the adverse impact the closure of the Curzon Mayfair would have on London’s cultural sector and the economy.

This Assembly calls for:

1) The Mayor to write to the landlord expressing disappointment that they have not yet chosen to renew the lease of the Curzon Mayfair.

2) The Mayor to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, expressing his concern that the loss of one of the UK’s most treasured art-house cinemas would have an adverse impact on London’s cultural sector and economy, and request that the Government look at how they could support the campaign to save the cinema.

3) The Mayor of London’s Culture Team to support the campaign ‘Save Curzon Mayfair Cinema’ and a petition which has received over 20,000 signatures.