Your say / KNowle West
‘If this cinema was in Clifton, it wouldn’t be being knocked down’
For some it’s an eyesore, but for most it’s a building crying out to be restored to its former glory.
The former Broadway Cinema could be lost any day now, after a new contractor was appointed to complete the demolition of it.
But, like a local campaigner, I’m still hoping that Bristol City Council will have a change of heart and stop the structure from being turned into rubble.
is needed now More than ever
Charlie Watts says the former Broadway Cinema in Knowle West would not be being demolished if it was in Clifton – photo: Charlie Watts
The art deco cinema on Filwood Broadway in Knowle West was later a bingo hall. Opened in 1938, it has been left to effectively rot since closing its doors in the 1990s.
But now is the perfect time for the once-thriving facility to become a performance venue at the centre of south Bristol. Or perhaps it could become a pub as it is about time there was a pub in Knowle West again.
The 1,160 -cinema was the beating heart of Filwood in its heyday, hosting boxing matches and music concerts as well as showing films – photo: Charlie Watts
The 84-year-old building has historical significance – pop star PJ Proby infamously split his trousers when performing there in 1964.
So I find it astonishing that the cinema is not listed, and I just can’t see it being knocked down if it was somewhere like Clifton.
The plans to replace it with housing and a road are awful. At the very least, the council should be keeping the facade of the building.
Some of the seats from the cinema are on display at the M Shed. But like the Benin Bronzes being returned to Nigeria, it is only right these are returned to Knowle West.
The cinema has been gutted inside – but some of its old seats are on show at the M Shed – photo: Charlie Watts
Filwood, which has produced stars such as Tricky, Ellis Genge and KALA CHNG, has the potential to be the Hollywood of Bristol, and saving the cinema would be the first step in that direction.
Or Knowle West could be the West End of Bristol, with the cinema turned into a theatre where local people can shine on stage.
With East Street in Bedminster once having a hippodrome, there is no reason why Filwood Broadway can’t have one.
Ultimately, the cinema should be saved for the benefit of the city. If £100m can be found to do up the Bristol Beacon, a bit of that can be spent on making Knowle West the cultural hotspot of the city.
Charlie Watts is the Community Reporters Editor and Knowle West Reporter for Bristol24/7
Main photo: Charlie Watts
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