East London’s Rich Mix arts venue and cinema in Shoreditch has paused its film screenings for the next 12 months as it undergoes significant renovations funded by a £2.2 million Arts Council grant. The charity-run venue will remain open for gigs and festivals during the works, with the new-look cinema earmarked for reopening in autumn 2027.
Renovation details and funding
According to Tower Hamlets Slice, the renovation will include creating a new entrance on Redchurch Street, an outdoor cafe space, and improvements to the building’s accessibility, air conditioning and lifts. The £2.2 million grant from the Arts Council will support these upgrades, which aim to enhance the venue’s facilities for visitors and performers alike.
While the cinema programme is on pause, Rich Mix will continue to host live events. A Rich Mix spokesperson said: ‘The building remains open this autumn, with a busy programme of live events. This includes our recently announced London, From the Margins season – a special programme of music, talks and occasional film screenings celebrating the sounds, spaces and communities that have shaped London’s underground culture.’
Venue history and recent events
Rich Mix has been a cinema, music venue and arts hub since 2006. It was voted one of London’s best cinemas by Time Out readers in 2017. Recently, the venue has served as a host for SXSW London screenings and the LOUD Women festival, highlighting its role in supporting diverse cultural programming.
The pause in screenings comes as part of a broader effort to modernise the building, which has become a staple of Shoreditch’s cultural scene. The renovations are expected to improve accessibility and comfort, ensuring the venue remains a key destination for arts lovers in east London.
Alternative cinemas for moviegoers
For Rich Mix-goers seeking local cinema options during the closure, nearby alternatives include Close-Up Cinema, Curzon Hoxton, Everyman Broadgate, and Genesis Cinema on Mile End Road. These venues offer a range of independent and mainstream film screenings within easy reach of Shoreditch.
The reopening is scheduled for autumn 2027, when the venue will resume its full cinema programme alongside its live events calendar. Until then, the venue’s autumn programme of music, talks, and occasional film screenings will continue, with the London, From the Margins season headlining the schedule.
