Lib Dem campaigners join hundreds at Picture Palace rally

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Oct 2009

Lib Dem campaigners Tom Papworth and Alex Feakes joined hundreds calling for the former Gala Bingo in Church Road to be returned to use as a cinema

Liberal Democrat councillors joined residents from across the five boroughs at a rally to support the campaign to bring a cinema in Crystal Palace.

Lewisham West & Penge parliamentary candidate, Cllr Alex Feakes, and Bromley local economy spokesman Cllr Tom Papworth, were among several hundred local people who packed the hall at the Queen's Hotel in Church Road, Crystal Palace to hear the campaign and give their support.

The rally was the latest move to show local support for the establishment of a local cinema. Bromley Council is currently considering a planning application for 25 Church Road, formerly a cinema and the only building in Crystal Palace that has the necessary D2 planning permission. Over 7,000 residents have signed a petition requesting that Bromley Council decline the application, which has been made by KICC, a church group.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Tom Papworth congratulated the Chair of the campaign for her hard work and stressed that the campaign was not anti-Christian. "This is not an anti-church campaign," Tom stressed. "It is a pro-cinema campaign. We share a vision for Crystal Palace as a thriving community where people can shop, eat, visit our local park and go to the cinema. That is why I will be supporting this campaign."

Local parliamentary candidate Cllr Alex Feakes, who also spoke at the meeting, expressed parallels with similar applications and warned against complacency. Alex later explained "Bromley Council will continue to accept opinions until the eleventh hour, so keep writing in and try to come along to the meeting."

Residents should email planning@bromley.gov.uk or write to Simon Greenwood, Planning Department, Bromley Civic Centre, Bromley BR1 3UH.

Bromley Lib Dems will announce the date of the Planning Meeting as soon as we are told so please keep an eye on www.lwplibdems.org.uk for the latest news and updates!