Forum Topic

Chiswick Cinema

The living wall looks great. There must be 1500+ plants.

Adrian Irving ● 1982d58 Comments

Has anyone been to a cinema yet? Not the Chiswick one obviously.I am keen to see a couple of new releases but haven't got round to it yet.

Adrian Irving ● 1982d

To Watermans on Friday to see Nomadland. Just as they did last summer when cinemas were allowed to be open, Watermans are being very thorough and well organised - they were a great improvement over the Curzon Richmond at the same time last year. Care includes seats only in every second row, two empty seats between each booking and frequent and thorough cleaning. Masks compulsory. And a great film.

Sue Rowe ● 1982d

I also saw Nomadland at Waterman's, on Thursday evening, and it was sold out. Great film.The Richmond Curzon isn't opening until June 4th which is odd as they were quick off the mark last summer. Both Richmond Odeons open, though, with the Studio having stayed closed last year.

Susan Kelly ● 1982d

Nomadland is top of my list. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing was one of those films I didn't think was for me but....Wow, just brilliant!I hoping Nomadland will be just as amazing.

Adrian Irving ● 1982d

Peter Rabbit 2 is on the list (the kids loved the first one and not bad for adults) - we usually go to The Odeon in Richmond.

Ed Saper ● 1982d

It was on telly, recently, Adrian and I thought it was great.  Some friends regularly log on to the Curzon online film site and then have a Zoom call afterwards to discuss.  Not done it yet, but I may do.  I absolutely love the cinema, used to go pretty much weekly to the Curzon and hope to attend the Chiswick cinema when it's up and running pretty often, but I am not plannning to go in person until at least the Autumn.

Claire Moran ● 1982d

Claire, I quite understand you not wanting to go back until the Autumn and I have reservations myself. I wouldn't be entirely comfortable even with good social distancing and If I spotted someone not wearing a mask it would ruin the experience. I may well still give it a shot though.On a brighter note I believe the redevelopment of Hammersmith Town Hall is going to include a cinema.This will mean two silver screens both within walking fist from me. Perfect.

Adrian Irving ● 1981d

And a two screen cinema in Acton which will be nearer to me than the Chiswick Cinema although I can walk to both.The living wall looks great, I'm going to take a trip down the High Road especially to see it.Do we have an opening date yet for the Chiswick Cinema?

Anita Blake ● 1981d

The last I heard was at the end of last year when they were sending out membership invitations to run from Spring this year (April I think) so they presumably thought they would be opening then.  I guess it must be imminent but perhaps they will wait a little until people feel more comfortable attending in order to have a 'successful' opening.

Claire Moran ● 1981d

Their social media still says Spring for opening and was updated recently so could be any day now.

Francis Rowe ● 1981d

We’ll soon be spoilt for choice, Adrian. I went to the new cinema at Riverside Studios, just before the first lockdown, and it was spacious and airy.I can hardly believe we’re finally going to get a cinema in Chiswick. I went past it today and the living wall is indeed impressive.

Kerry Chandler ● 1981d

It does look brilliant. I do smell a rat though about the lack of news about the opening. Could it be that with so few film releases currently available the larger film chains are making sure independent cinemas are being squeezed out of distribution? Therefore there is no point in the Chiswick Cinema opening if it has no films to show.

Anita Blake ● 1978d

Cinemas have been showing old films, it's a  Wonderful life  etc., for some time.

Janice Evans ● 1978d

They're advertising for staff to start June 1st - which sounds very promising to me.

Tessa Russell ● 1978d

There seems to be decent programmes lined up at other local indie cinemas, for example, Olympic in Barnes has Nomadland, Sound of Metal as well as Peter Rabbit 2.  Also films like Quiet Place 2 which was originally meant to come out last year and release was delayed.Some of the films on their schedule have been on some streaming services already but not everyone will subscribe to all of these.

Michael Robinson ● 1978d

My aunt went to the cinema at weekend, not sure which one, but she said she didn't have to wear a mask while seated. The aircon had been cranked up too.

Rebecca Hobson ● 1978d

All this excitement about films has triggered memories of some of the early days.One showing I particularly remember was been taken by my aunt to see Ben Hur. We had to sit next to a side exit so I  could be quickly ushered out if auntie felt a scene was "unsuitable" . Bless her.Another was Blow Up. My friend, Willie Johnson and I sneaked off school and went to a screening in Leicester Square.Very daring!Happy days.

Adrian Irving ● 1978d

So looking forward to Chiswick having its own cinema. Does anyone remember The Old Cinema when it was a cinema? What was it like?

Stewart Jones ● 1977d

"Another was Blow Up"Featuring The Yardbirds with both Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page in the line-up.

Richard Greenhough ● 1977d

Does anyone know when will the Chiswick Cinema open ?

Anthony Tan ● 1977d

The website says "spring 2021" but I hope that, having signed up for the newsletter, I'll be told more from time to time. I can't wait for it to open! https://www.chiswickcinema.co.uk/faq/

Joanna Biddolph ● 1977d

Every time I pass there is lots of activity.The CHISWICK CINEMA sign has gone up and looks good. Modern but classic.There must be a lot of fitting out to do internally but I can't tell how advanced that is.I will ask someone on site if I get the chance.

Adrian Irving ● 1976d

Public launch scheduled for Friday 25 June 2021.'Soft launch' screenings for members the week before.Dates subject to government Covid regs etc.

Michael Robinson ● 1970d

Great news. A lot of work was going on there today when I went past.

Claire Moran ● 1970d

It's looking great. Very much looking forward to staying local and seeing a film in W4.

Gordon McDonald ● 1970d

My idea of bliss a cinema in walking distance, I can't wait.

Tessa Russell ● 1970d

Better to drive surely?

John Hall ● 1970d

There is very little parking in the vicinity of the cinema so I don't think many people will drive. The Acton cinema will have an advantage in that respect in that there are more places to park nearby particularly in the evening.I really hope it is a success and, if they can get a good line up of films to show it is likely to be popular in the summer but come winter time it might be a bit more challenging.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1968d

Is it worth paying £90 for their annual classic membership?

Anthony Tan ● 1968d

For £90, you will get these:- 6 Free tickets*- £1 off standard ticket price*- No online booking fee- 10% off beverages- 10% off private hire*- 3 Free months of MUBI GO

Anthony Tan ● 1968d

£17 a ticket at Olympic so if similar then 6 tickets for £90 would pay for itself. Plus other discounts. Mubi a waste of time I found, unfortunately it doesn’t stream properly on my set up.

Russell Pearson ● 1968d

The Olympic offers sofa-style comfort for its £17 a seat whereas I think the seat size in The Chiswick Cinema is more conventional. I'd look at the other way round, if the ticket price was lower I'd be more inclined to buy the membership because we'd be going more often. If they were charging £17 then there would be cheaper alternatives locally with parking particularly if they don't do Meerkat Movies.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1965d

As I read it, according to their website there is a £100 one-off payment plus a £90.00 annual payment for the cheapest level of membership (Classic) so £190 in total for the first year.  Or am I reading it wrongly? If that's correct you'd have to go pretty often to get your moneysworth from the membership.

Claire Moran ● 1965d

Doesn't it mean that you can either pay for one year only, for £100, or set up an annual subscription of £90 that will renew unless you cancel?

Norman Redfern ● 1965d

Norman is right although I think the annual subscription would be a direct debit payment which would mean it may not be £90 next year.It is impossible to judge the financial benefits of membership until you know the ticket pricing policy but people should sign up if they value the presence of the cinema in Chiswick as if enough people do it will give them a significant guaranteed recurring revenue. Personally I'm more likely to go to the new Acton cinema  but Chiswick didn't have a cinema for decades because people didn't support it and won't have one again if they don't give this one their backing.

Anita Blake ● 1965d

Yes, the classic membership is £90 and there is no initial fee. That’s the one I have gone for. Unfortunately, you can’t  at the moment upgrade to a gold membership from a classic membership.

Stewart Jones ● 1965d

Ah, ok, thanks for clarifying that, I asumed they meant there was a joining fee. I think I will wait to see the range of films they are planning, I don't fancy any of the initial ones they are opening with.

Claire Moran ● 1965d

With less than a week to go to opening there are no details of the film programme or ticket prices. This may be a function of the uncertain times we live in but if the price of £17 a ticket mentioned earlier in this thread is anywhere near accurate then I don't think The Chiswick Cinema can expect support from across the community as a large part of it would be priced out.I'm not on what would normally be described as a low income and would possibly spend that much for a special occasion but wouldn't be willing to do so on a regular basis.There might be enough wealthy cineastes in W4 to sell lots of seats all year round seven days a week but I doubt it. West End cinemas can charge high prices because they have a large catchment area but most of the audience will come from the immediate vicinity.Most cinemas now offer deeply discounted tickets on a Monday and Meerkat Movies means that see films for low prices on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is going to be a lot of local competition with the Acton cinema opening soon and a new one on King Street planned.If The Chiswick Cinema goes down the route of the Olympic in Barnes and keeps prices high I think they will have a problem. Once the cost of tickets for a group of people exceeds the cost of going to see the same field at Westfield plus parking some people are going to choose the latter.I'd like to see them adopt a bums on seat policy with low ticket prices so that, if you live in Chiswick and need to budget, you don't need to consider going elsewhere.

Mark Evans ● 1959d

One way they could get many bums on seats in the quieter daytime hours would be to offer discounted seats to seniors in the same manner as Picturehouse does with their ‘Silver Screen’ programme.  Mrs B and I used to be regulars at the Gate, Notting Hill in the afternoons.  And note, they also used to provide free coffee and biscuits and a blanket for your knees.  Okay, the last bit was a fib, but the point is these sessions were very well attended and the Chiswick cinema would be wise to offer something similar.

Alastair Banton ● 1959d

Soft launch tickets now available for members.Varied selection including new releases, re-releases, theatre and concert screenings and the England games.

Michael Robinson ● 1958d

Founding members - booked in for Saturday. What a marvellous Wednesday this is turning out to be.

Paul Campbell ● 1958d

He who hesitates.....I should have gone for the Founders. Wound up with the Classic which one  can’t currently upgrade to Gold. But I am so attached to my Curzon membership too..Enjoy!

Stewart Jones ● 1958d

Isn't great to see how the building work has pressed on despite everything to get the job done and the business open.Very well done and congratulations to all concerned.It's a wrap!

Adrian Irving ● 1957d

Can you give an indication of what ticket prices are?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1957d

We walked past this evening. It looks great. Smiley staff. Hugely encouraging,

Stewart Jones ● 1957d

Well done Waterman’s. Difficult in a cinema perhaps but it is ventilation we should be worrying about most- had they done anything about that?

Helen Martin ● 1956d

£1.90 booking fee! Yikes!

Lalo Smith ● 1949d

Is there no booking fee if you buy your tickets in the cinema?

Lalo Smith ● 1949d

No,a booking fee is to cover online transaction costs.

Julian Pavey ● 1949d

Tickets booked for this week. Not a film I particularly wanted to see but very interested to see what the place is like.

Stewart Jones ● 1947d

Amused to see that the upcoming England v Germany match is rated PG (and down as being 140 mins).

Andrew Jones ● 1947d

Online booking fees are an absolute rip-off. If anything, it's cheaper for a cinema to sell tickets online as it doesn't involve paying a human to process it. The Odeon did away with them years ago, as did the Waterman's.

Susan Kelly ● 1947d

I passed by an hour ago and saw a few people milling about but was surprised not to see any information about what's showing and times in the window or the foyer.

Adrian Irving ● 1947d

Clicked to see what ‘art house’ films were showing as they had Battle Royale posted a while back. Nothing there now and if I click on a mainstream listing I get a message saying only Founding Members can book. Anyone shed any light?

Russell Pearson ● 1946d

Battle Royale was one of the films shown on their 'soft launch' week last week.  It isn't in the current programme.

Michael Robinson ● 1946d

The listings of films are here:https://www.chiswickcinema.co.uk/whats-on/but as Russell says only founder members can book. It looks like with limited capacity due to Covid combined with curiosity to see inside, the available tickets are going quickly.

Anita Blake ● 1946d

I guess we’ll all get to experience when lock down is finally over 🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 1946d

Can’t wait!!!❤️❤️

Margie Frew ● 1946d