Odeon has confirmed that its cinema in Beckenham High Street will close at the end of November 2026, following a decision by the building's owners, Citygate Church, to repurpose the Grade II-listed site as a place of worship. The church has submitted an application to Bromley Council that would return the Art Deco cinema to a single auditorium and uncover decorative features currently hidden, according to an initial consultation page.
Odeon confirms closure after landlord's decision
In a statement provided to MyLondon, an Odeon spokesperson said: "ODEON Beckenham will be closing at the end of November 2026, following the landlord’s decision to repurpose the building. The cinema will continue to welcome guests as usual until then."
The spokesperson added: "We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause. Supporting our team is our number one priority, and we will look to secure roles for as many affected colleagues as possible at our other cinema locations."
"We have been proud to serve our guests at ODEON Beckenham and to have brought years of film magic to the local community," the statement concluded.
Historic site with Art Deco heritage
The High Street site has operated as a film theatre since 1930, when it opened as The Regal Cinema with a screening of The Rogue Song. The building changed hands several times before Odeon took on the lease in 2000, marking 25 years of operation under the brand.
The cinema is widely regarded as an iconic landmark and architectural gem, which heightened concern when a major fire broke out in a neighbouring property last September. The London Fire Brigade managed to contain the flames before they could spread to the cinema.
Public consultation and next steps
Citygate Church has launched a public consultation about the future of the building. A drop-in session is scheduled at the church on Rectory Road from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, October 10. Beckenham residents can also submit feedback via an online survey until 5pm on Tuesday, October 13.
The church's proposal includes repairing and restoring the exterior of the building, alongside the internal changes to revert the cinema to a single auditorium. The application is now pending consideration by Bromley Council.
