An iconic independent cinema in East London, with a history stretching back 170 years, is facing an existential threat after local authorities blocked a unique rescue plan that its owner says is its only hope for survival.
A Cinematic Dream Under Threat
The Genesis Cinema on Mile End Road is a beloved fixture for film lovers, its walls adorned with classic movie posters and its bar scattered with leaflets for film clubs. However, this historic venue, which has operated as a pub, music hall, and theatre since the 1850s, has been battered by a relentless series of crises. Following its most successful year in 2019, the cinema was hit by pandemic lockdowns, the cost-of-living crisis, and the Hollywood writers' strike.
"It has just been one thing after another," said owner Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, 60. He highlighted that the price of popcorn alone soared by 300%, but passing such costs onto customers was not a viable option. With the business no longer sustainable in its current form, Walker-Hebborn was forced to devise a new strategy to secure its future.
The 'Only Way Round It': A Clever Rescue Plan
Walker-Hebborn's proposed solution was architecturally innovative and financially pragmatic. His plan involved constructing a new building of up to eight storeys on top of the existing cinema to provide between 250 and 300 student bedrooms, primarily for nearby Queen Mary University. The cinema itself would be reconfigured into a four-screen, 447-seat venue in the basement and lower floors.
"The essence of the cinema will stay the same," Walker-Hebborn assured. "The outside with the large white lettering announcing showings will still be there, the foyer to buy popcorn will still be at the front of the building and the bright lighting will still be on. Trust me, it will obviously still be a cinema."
The income from the student accommodation, he argued, would generate the capital required to preserve the cultural venue indefinitely. He has already remortgaged and downsized his own family home in a bid to keep the business afloat, but that is not a long-term solution.
Council Rejection and a Clash of Priorities
Despite the owner's personal and financial commitment, Tower Hamlets Council voted to refuse the planning application last week. Planning officers cited the potential "loss of an important cultural venue with extensive cinematic and entertainment heritage," noting that Charlie Chaplin first performed there at age 12.
The council also objected on the grounds of the development's scale, its impact on neighbours and the character of the conservation area, and crucially, its lack of affordable housing. Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury stated the plan would cause a "significant loss of heritage and community value" and constituted an overdevelopment, adding that the land should be used responsibly amid an "acute shortage of housing."
Walker-Hebborn, whose own family history is deeply intertwined with the building, expressed his frustration. "No one wants to save this more than me," he said, recounting how his father once revealed he had courted Tyrone's mother there. Having explored alternatives like mini-golf or a bowling alley, he insists the student housing plan is the only viable option. Without it, he warns, the community faces saying goodbye to the cinema forever.
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the decision, stating the committee agreed with the officer's recommendation to refuse on heritage and design grounds.
