My Local Cinema Part 2
I last wrote about my local cinema in late October 2025. The Sidcup Storyteller had shut and the local authority, Bexley Council, was negotiating with the management of the Castle Cinema in Hackney to run the establishment. Fortunately for all, a deal was struck and the cinema re-opened just before Christmas under the new name of the Castle Sidcup. I had the pleasure of seeing Zootropolis 2 there just after New Year and enjoyed not only the film but the cosy and friendly atmosphere of the newly refurbished cinema. It is convenient to be able to see new films locally and the fact that it is one bus ride away or a leisurely walk in good weather, makes it far more likely that I will actually go to see new releases, rather than watch them at home. The Castle Sidcup also has very competitively priced ticket prices which makes it a more inviting prospect compared to the two local chain multiplexes.
The Castle Sidcup is an independent, community-driven cinema, run by the same small team behind The Castle Cinema in Hackney. Not being part of a chain, the Castle Sidcup is striving to show a broad variety of cinematic content. This will include the best new releases, outstanding independent films as well as family favourites. There are also future plans to screen cult classics and host film clubs and special events. The management also intends to facilitate a range of accessible and community-focused screenings including baby screenings, relaxed screenings and more. The cinema also supports audio description, HoH subtitles and amplified audio. All of which is intended to make the Castle Sidcup an invaluable community asset and sounds very promising.
I am quite interested that the Castle Sidcup is available for private hire. I think it would be nice to have a screening of a classic film such as John Carpenter’s The Thing and have a few friends join me. For someone with a keen interest in cinema, that would be an excellent birthday present. There is also the potential for wider events and activities. I used to attend lots of small, independent film festivals in the eighties and nineties. Such events are less common these days and tend to be overshadowed by larger, more corporate undertakings or longstanding events that have become too commercial. I’d be interested to learn what the cost and logistics would be of putting on a Contains Moderate Peril film festival. I shall investigate accordingly. In the meantime it is reassuring to have a local cinema once again and I shall endeavour to use it more over the year ahead.
