Latest news with #CurzonMayfair
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
One of UK's oldest cinemas first built in the 1930s in stunning Art Deco building to SHUT after bitter legal dispute
The cinema will be improved with new features LIGHTS OFF One of UK's oldest cinemas first built in the 1930s in stunning Art Deco building to SHUT after bitter legal dispute Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN HISTORIC cinema is set to shut down after several years of bitter legal disputes. The cinema will be closing for redevelopments almost a century after it was built in 1934. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Curzon Mayfair was built in 1934 Credit: Alamy 3 Curzon no longer manage the site following years of legal disputes Credit: Alamy 3 It will retain its two screens, as well as getting a bar and restaurant Credit: Alamy After years of legal disputes, the Curzon Mayfair in London has withdrawn from litigation, allowing for the site to be redeveloped which is expected to begin in January 2026. Curzon had spent several years trying to negotiate a new long-term lease with the landlord before it expired in March 2024. A petition to save the cinema was signed by more than 20,000 people who enjoy regular premiere screenings, with directors like Stephen Spielberg attending for his film The Fablemans. Now though, the landlord will be going ahead with plans to refurbish the building themselves, meaning Curzon will no longer run the cinema. In a recent statement, Curzon said: "Sadly, Curzon has concluded that it had no option but to withdraw its legal challenge to the landlord's plans, given the risk of meeting the landlord's enormous legal costs should the challenge prove unsuccessful." They previously expressed concern that: "Curzon Mayfair will become no more than a glorified private members' club rather than a cinema and an iconic cultural institution will be lost forever." The site will be taken over by Fantasio, a development company with a successful history in rejuvenating London social spaces. CEO Dan Zaum said in a statement: "We are passionate about creating London's ultimate cinema experience. "The Mayfair cinema will always have film at its heart - and will become a vibrant venue serving the wider community, creatively, socially, educationally and beyond." They previously promised to spend £15 million on refurbishing the site, hoping to restore the cinema's original features and install new audio and visual screen technology. Final Destination Bloodlines Official Trailer The cinema itself will keep its two screens, while a new bar and dine-in restaurant will be built to enhance the movie-going experience. In a 2023 statement, the CEO of Fantasio said: "I see the Mayfair cinema being reinstated to its former glory and reinventing the art of cinema-going. "This iconic piece of architecture and integral part of London's cinematic history is yearning for revival." They also promised "a wide range of ticket prices" to ensure "that no-one feels this beautiful cinema is beyond their budget." Curzon criticised the landlord's plans, concerned that the cost of development would lead to expensive ticket prices and a "private members' club for the super-wealthy." They also fought back against Fantasio's claims that the cinema was in decline. They said: "Any suggestion by the landlord that it is a venue in decline is demonstrably false." Instead, they said they had experienced 25 per cent year-on-year growth in ticket sales over the past financial quarter. Fantasio previously successfully refurbished KOKO in Camden in a three year project that was delayed by fire and water damage. KOKO's redevelopment cost £70 million and was celebrated with reopening parties by the likes of Jorja Smith and Pete Doherty. They also oversaw the redevelopment of The Ned and The Wolseley, both iconic London venues that have had a new lease of life since the redevelopment.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
One of UK's oldest cinemas first built in the 1930s in stunning Art Deco building to SHUT after bitter legal dispute
AN HISTORIC cinema is set to shut down after several years of bitter legal disputes. The cinema will be closing for redevelopments almost a century after it was built in 1934. 3 3 3 After years of legal disputes, the Curzon Mayfair in London has withdrawn from litigation, allowing for the site to be redeveloped which is expected to begin in January 2026. Curzon had spent several years trying to negotiate a new long-term lease with the landlord before it expired in March 2024. A petition to save the cinema was signed by more than 20,000 people who enjoy regular premiere screenings, with directors like Stephen Spielberg attending for his film The Fablemans. Now though, the landlord will be going ahead with plans to refurbish the building themselves, meaning Curzon will no longer run the cinema. In a recent statement, Curzon said: "Sadly, Curzon has concluded that it had no option but to withdraw its legal challenge to the landlord's plans, given the risk of meeting the landlord's enormous legal costs should the challenge prove unsuccessful." They previously expressed concern that: "Curzon Mayfair will become no more than a glorified private members' club rather than a cinema and an iconic cultural institution will be lost forever." The site will be taken over by Fantasio, a development company with a successful history in rejuvenating London social spaces. CEO Dan Zaum said in a statement: "We are passionate about creating London's ultimate cinema experience. "The Mayfair cinema will always have film at its heart - and will become a vibrant venue serving the wider community, creatively, socially, educationally and beyond." They previously promised to spend £15 million on refurbishing the site, hoping to restore the cinema's original features and install new audio and visual screen technology. Final Destination Bloodlines Official Trailer The cinema itself will keep its two screens, while a new bar and dine-in restaurant will be built to enhance the movie-going experience. In a 2023 statement, the CEO of Fantasio said: "I see the Mayfair cinema being reinstated to its former glory and reinventing the art of cinema-going. "This iconic piece of architecture and integral part of London's cinematic history is yearning for revival." They also promised "a wide range of ticket prices" to ensure "that no-one feels this beautiful cinema is beyond their budget." Curzon criticised the landlord's plans, concerned that the cost of development would lead to expensive ticket prices and a "private members' club for the super-wealthy." They also fought back against Fantasio's claims that the cinema was in decline. They said: "Any suggestion by the landlord that it is a venue in decline is demonstrably false." Instead, they said they had experienced 25 per cent year-on-year growth in ticket sales over the past financial quarter. Fantasio previously successfully refurbished KOKO in Camden in a three year project that was delayed by fire and water damage. KOKO's redevelopment cost £70 million and was celebrated with reopening parties by the likes of Jorja Smith and Pete Doherty. They also oversaw the redevelopment of The Ned and The Wolseley, both iconic London venues that have had a new lease of life since the redevelopment. What is happening across hospitality and the cinema sector? Odeon confirmed it would close five of its branches in May last year. Cineworld has revealed six UK sites it will close as it enters the first phase of a major restructuring. Empire Cinema also closed multiple sites in 2023 after falling into administration in July of the same year. The company made the decision following "a thorough assessment of all available options". The hospitality sector has been struggling too. In April, family favourite restaurant chain Whitbread revealed it was set to shut more than 200 locations and axe 1,500 jobs. It shared the plans in its full year results, saying it planned to convert 112 restaurants into hotel extensions while closing 126 "loss-making" venues. Pub giant Wetherspoons has been closing boozers across the UK too, and Byron Burger fell into administration last year. In March, pizza giant Papa Johns said it would close dozens of locations.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Curzon Mayfair cinema set for major overhaul after bitter legal dispute ends
The redevelopment of landmark cinema the Curzon Mayfair is set to go ahead after a lengthy dispute between the leaseholder and landlord over plans for the historic venue. Owner Fantasio, previously behind the refurbishment of KOKO, The Ned and the Wolseley, aims to turn the site, famed for its glitzy premieres, into a modern cinema, entertainment, media hub and dining destination. CEO Dan Zaum said: 'We're disappointed it has taken so long but relieved it's over and that we can now progress. We are passionate about creating London's ultimate cinema experience. The Mayfair cinema will always have film at its heart – and will become a vibrant venue serving the wider community, creatively, socially, educationally and beyond.' Built in the 1930s, the art deco filmhouse has hosted many premieres. But it requires updating. Zaum and is team will restore some original features while improving the layout, ambience and lighting, as well as the audio and visual screen technology. They will retain the cinema's existing two screens but introduce luxury seating. The current separate restaurant that forms part of the site will be amalgamated to create an in-house restaurant and bar, with greater use of natural light and lower energy consumption. The food will be sourced locally. Customers will be able to take food and drink into a showing. Step-free access will be vastly improved. In all, they're going to spend more than £15million. It's his intention to offer a range of ticket pricing, along with committing to showcasing independent film and the work of local filmmakers. The red-carpet premieres will continue and there will be scope for the hosting of other events, such as operas. Their objective, as Zaum put it, is not only to boost the facilities of the existing Curzon Mayfair, which will be renamed, but to set a new standard for the industry. It's what he did with the other projects. As well as property, he possesses a strong background in film. He runs Gold Rush Pictures, an arthouse production, financing and direction company. The cinema will showcase Gold Rush's productions. Zaum feels strongly, though, that from the outset, his scheme and track record were never given sufficient credence since he had no choice than to oust the then tenant, Curzon Cinemas. Zaum offered to involve them fully, as he did with the tenants at Koko, but was unimpressed by their ideas. They mounted a fierce campaign against the changes, drawing heavily on the past, pointing out it was the first ever Curzon when it opened in 1934 and receiving the support of celebrities, including Steven Spielberg, Tilda Swinton and Emily Mortimer. Whilst Westminster Council gave planning approval, court obstacles remained. However, Curzon Cinemas has formally withdrawn its defence in the litigation. Fantasio can apply for judgment, which it will do shortly, and Curzon Cinemas has said it will consent to the application. Once judgment has been obtained the cinema lease will terminate three months later. This means Fantasio will obtain possession of both the cinema and adjoining restaurant by January, enabling it to begin turning the whole ground-floor of the building into a state-of-the art space. ' 'The Curzon Mayfair has been in decline for years, as has cinema-going generally,' said Zaum. 'We've got a vision that entails re-imagining film viewing, making it as immersive and exciting as the films being shown.' Contrary to how his vision was portrayed, he insists he is not aiming to scrap the beloved cinema. 'It's about us desiring to execute our dream, which is not just for that cinema but for UK cinema generally. 'There's a reason why cinema audiences around the country have been dropping and it's not about the films being made, which are just as good as ever. It's the general quality of the experience, in not having comfortable, reclining seats with lots of room, in not being able to take in high-quality food and drink, in being treated like a commodity by an anonymous chain rather than as someone special looking to have a special time.' Curzon said it had been looking to refurbish the cinema for more than eight years and commissioned a leading firm of architects 'to offer film lovers an accessible, high-quality experience 'unrivalled' across London.' But their plans were 'summarily blocked by the landlord. Despite Curzon's profound love for Curzon Mayfair, it is with regret that we now need to withdraw from the site and focus our attention on establishing a new flagship venue elsewhere in London.' Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
