An operator for the cinema in the Lewisham Gateway development has finally been confirmed – bringing movies back to the town centre for the first time in 40 years.
Lewisham Council announced on social media that the Irish movie chain Arc Cinemas will take on the nine-screen cinema in the troubled development between Lewisham station and the shopping centre.
The developer, Get Living, has confirmed to The Greenwich Wire that the cinema will open next year.
The council is also promising news next week of which company will be reopening the Catford Mews site as a cinema, 16 months after it closed.
Arc’s arrival will be a boost for the second phase of Lewisham Gateway, known as The Filigree, which suffered construction delays before opening in 2024. Just a few months after the first residents moved in, they had to move out again because of a major water leak.
It emerged in November that residents of The Filigree may not be able to move back in until later this year, while the works have also held up progress with opening shops in the blocks.
Originally Empire Cinemas was due to open up in the Filigree, but the chain went bust in 2023. Opening a cinema one of the conditions Lewisham Council placed on the new development, which has been more than 20 years in the making. The first phase opened a decade ago.
At present the nearest cinemas are in Greenwich, Eltham, Peckham and Canary Wharf. Lewisham’s best-known old cinema, the Odeon, closed on Valentine’s Day in 1981, while Studios 6 & 7 shut in 1986 after being taken over by the Cannon chain.
Both old picture houses were just metres from the new one: the imposing old Odeon, which was demolished in 1991, also played host to bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Clash. The site of Studios 6 & 7 has since been redeveloped and now bears the building’s original name, King’s Hall Mews.
Arc has seven cinemas in Ireland and eight in Great Britain: Lewisham would be its first location in the south of England.
Brian Gilligan, Arc’s director, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing The Arc Cinema to Lewisham and to be part of The Filigree development. It’s an honour to join such an important project, and we’re genuinely excited about creating local jobs, welcoming new team members, and playing a positive role within the existing Lewisham community.
“We’re looking forward to introducing The Arc Cinema’s special blend of luxury recliner seating, friendly local teams and great-value pricing, alongside a broad programme of films and community activity. Our aim is for the cinema to become a welcoming, inclusive space — a place people feel comfortable returning to week after week, and a long-term cornerstone that complements and supports the area around it.”
James-J Walsh, Lewisham’s cabinet member for inclusive regeneration and planning, said the council wanted to create “a safe, lively town centre where people can spend time locally, support small businesses and enjoy culture day and night. After listening carefully to residents, the council secured a new nine-screen cinema from the developer at no cost to the public.
“The cinema sits alongside major improvements already under way, including the refurbished market, our new library and plans to renew the ageing shopping centre, which will include a not-for-profit live music and culture venue, all shaped by what residents have consistently told us they want.
“We know delays following the flooding at The Filigree have been frustrating, so it is encouraging to see meaningful progress and long-term certainty towards delivery of this important community space. This reflects our commitment to inclusive regeneration that invests in culture, community and opportunity while protecting public money.”
Get Living told The Greenwich Wire: “We aim to reopen The Filigree and be fully operational by the end of 2026. The cinema is scheduled to open next year, specific dates have not yet been confirmed.”
Updated at 1.50pm with an opening date and comments from Get Living, and again at 2.15pm with comments from Arc and Lewisham Council. Corrected on Saturday because Lewisham’s last cinema closed in 1986, not 1981 as previously stated.
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