The historic cinema sits at the top end of Clapton Pond, just before the Lea Bridge roundabout at 229 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London, E5 8EG. View a map of the area

 

This is a short walk away from Clapton overground Station and the following bus routes have stops located within 200 metres of the cinema: 38, 48, 55, 106, 253, 254, S2.

 

One of Britain’s oldest cinemas, the Clapton Cinematograph Theatre dates from 1910 and continued as a working cinema until 1979. It lay empty until 1983 when it was converted into a nightclub called "Dougies", then renamed the "Palace Pavilion", which became the focus of a series of gun crimes in the area.

After years of campaigning, the local community finally obtained the support of Hackney Council and the Police in having the nightclub's licence withdrawn in early 2006.  Since this time the historic building has been closed up and remains unused.

The Friends of Clapton Cinematograph Theatre was formed to work towards the preservation and restoration of this historic cinema.  Our wish is for the building to be restored as a community cinema and an educational and training facility for the people of Hackney, becoming a social and cultural focus for the area.

The Friends of Clapton Cinematograph Theatre, in collaboration with  critically acclaimed photographer Colin O'Brien, and TV and radio  producer Tanya Nash, is launching a new project to gather and preserve  the personal anecdotes of people who have memories of the old  Kenninghall Cinema (originally the Clapton Cinematograph Theatre) which provided  entertainment for generations of people in Hackney until its eventual  closure at the end of the 1970s.

If you, or a friend or relative, have special memories of the cinema,  such as attending children's matinees, sitting in the back row with a  boyfriend or family trips to the movies, please get in touch.

Please sign our online petition to register your support for the 'Save Our Cinema' campaign.

NB - When signing our online petition you can also choose to become an FCCT Member and be kept informed about news and events.