Lumiere-A Cinema Saved By People And Now A Vibrant Community Hub.

Romford’s beloved local cinema, saved by a passionate community after Premiere closed its doors last August, has triumphantly reopened as Lumiere. Run by the Romford Film Trust, this revitalised venue is defying the national trend of declining cinema attendance, captivating both old and new patrons with its distinct approach.

Unlike standard cinema offerings, Lumiere prides itself on swimming against the tide. It’s not just about showing films; it’s about fostering a vibrant community hub. “While we aren’t making huge sums of money, we are seeing significant inroads with our additional offers,” explains Spencer Hawken, Chair of the Romford Film Trust. “We really had to hold our nerve in the early days when a good day might bring in just £100, and customers initially resisted change. But it turned around, it truly did. Now, we boast nearly 3,000 members, and a growing number of schools, colleges, and community organizations have made the cinema their home.”

A Membership Model That Makes Sense

Lumiere has moved beyond being a “cheap” cinema. Non-member tickets are priced at £6.99 per admission, with a family-of-four ticket costing £18. However, the true value lies in its charitable co-operative model. A £30 annual membership grants the cardholder and anyone accompanying them tickets for an incredibly affordable £4 – making it the most budget-friendly cinema in the entire UK.

“People tell us almost daily that they can find cheaper tickets elsewhere without a membership, viewing the £30 fee as a mental block,” Hawken notes. “But with over 3,000 members now, those who consider our full offer—which includes 25% off events and 10% off concessions—quickly realize it’s a no-brainer.”

Beyond the Box Office: A Diverse Program and Unique Experiences

Lumiere’s distinctiveness runs much deeper than its membership structure. The venue enforces a strict over-18s rule unless accompanied by an adult, and its film lineup is far more eclectic than its predecessor, Premiere. Patrons can seamlessly transition from current blockbusters like Tornado to cult classics such as Showgirls and The Piano Teacher, or even timeless treasures like Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, and Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

A pivotal moment in rebuilding the cinema’s popularity came with a very specific film. When The Salt Path premiered four weeks ago, dozens of older customers discovered Lumiere through Google, seeking showtimes more convenient for their age group. While other cinemas relegated this slow-burning tale starring Gillian Anderson to weekday viewings with only token weekend slots, Lumiere put it front and center. By giving equal emphasis to weekend screenings, the cinema saw steady crowds flocking to the venue, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

Expanding Horizons: From Marathons to Masterclasses

The innovation doesn’t stop there. Weekend mystery marathons have also proven incredibly popular, aligning perfectly with the vision outlined in their successful Christmas Crowdfunder, which aimed to open the doors by spring. By August, Lumiere plans to emulate the renowned Prince Charles Cinema in central London, but in the East of the city. Screens 1-4 will showcase new releases, while Screen 5 will focus on independent films. Screen 7 will be dedicated to classic movies made prior to 2020, and Screen 8 will feature world cinema and event screenings. The cinema has already gained a loyal following among stage enthusiasts, thanks to the National Theatre Live series, with a brand new program of ballet and opera set to begin after the summer.

Lumiere is also gearing up for a series of interactive events. A Sing-a-long season kicks off with Grease on July 5th, followed by a season of the 100 greatest horror movies in October. Come Christmas, the cinema will transform into a festive haven, playing classic seasonal movies every single day in December, complete with more sing-a-longs and quote-a-longs.

Mondays feature special parent and baby sessions, where parents with young babies can attend screenings of movies without fear of persecution if their baby cries during the film. The films screened are there for the parents enjoyment, not the baby, so when available and appropriate slightly more adult friendly offerings will be available to watch. There are also SENDS sessions of new releases available each week listed under the terms “relaxed screening” on the cinemas website.

But the experience extends far beyond film. Patrons can look forward to sound baths, quiz nights, and listening sessions. Special guests will be invited to share their stories before a live audience, and the venue will host book launches, music nights, and stand-up comedy sessions before winter arrives, with the first sound bath scheduled for July 6th. Private events are also becoming a key feature, such as Nasty-Fest on August 30th, run by Darkside Magazine’s Allan and Yannie Bryce. This one-day horror extravaganza will feature stars of yesteryear, merchandise stalls, and screenings of films once banned globally.

A True Community Hub

Lumiere has truly embraced its role as a community cornerstone. Groups like the LGBTQ+ youth group Kaleidoscopeuse the venue for meetings and events. Just last week, New City College hosted their end-of-year awards and showreel presentation there, and a local Asian group sold out a special Bollywood movie showing in a mere 15 minutes. Numerous borough schools have also held special movie screenings, with seven more booked in the coming weeks. A security company has reserved the venue for their Christmas gathering, and a film production company will be showcasing their catalogue to the public and buyers in September.

“We are more than just a cinema; we are an events venue, usable for fundraisers, product launches, presentations, conferences, and even business networking meetings,” Hawken emphasizes. “Very early on, we thought about what else a cinema could be for the community beyond just film. We’re hoping that, funding permitting later in the year, we’ll unveil our plans and timelines for educational, studio, and podcast/recording spaces. We have so many talented individuals in our midst; we want to create a hub where they can meet, work, and collaborate in network sharing to keep them all actively working on their passions.”

Lumiere is open every day from 10 am, with screenings continuing until approximately 11 pm, seven days a week.

You can find more information and check out their upcoming schedule at www.lumiereromford.com.

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