In the heart of Peckham stands a retro cinema that seems to be trying to colour the southeast London neighbourhood a brighter shade of cheerful.
Peckhamplex has its name in bright pink. Inside, it’s got a range of shades – pinks, blues, yellows and purples. Each of the six screens have eye-popping red seats to match red walls.
Although the actual screens are smaller than in an IMAX theatre, Peckhamplex has prices to match.
Simone Brown, director of Peckhamplex, told SLL, ” we offer the flat rate of £5.99 all day every day for any film to everyone.”
This might be why Brown claims it’s built a large, loyal audience from all across London.”We talk to our customers and they often tell our staff where they’ve travelled from. Many of our customers are regular visitors coming several times a month,” says Brown.
The cinema prides itself on playing a role in the community, supporting charities both financially and in kind. Brown says Peckhamplex was one of the first to contribute to crowd-funding campaigns for local newspapers such as The Peckham Peculiar.
He also lists the Peckham Coal Line and Lido projects as causes they supported and says the cinema was the primary backer of The Peckham Festival which is a free, three-day arts event in South London that celebrates the area’s creative and cultural diversity. The festival takes place across Peckham’s galleries, warehouses, former factories, and beneath railway arches.
“We have just celebrated our 30th anniversary and in addition to all the charities and local initiatives we support we announced the setup of the Peckhamplex Student scholarship, an annual grant to support a local student,” says Brown.
The 1,500-seat cinema, originally a Sainsbury’s, was converted in 1994. The current owners Simone Brown (Managing Director), Rakesh Makhecha (Finance), Marianne Gray (Publicity) and John Reiss (Chairman) acquired it in 2010 and changed its name to Peckhamplex.
It’s kept the old-fashioned style that provokes a sense of nostalgia. On the walls, there are posters for films such as Citizen Kane and Frankenstein.
As well as the latest blockbuster and 3D film releases, They have hosted numerous premieres, event screenings and Q&As with directors, writers and actors who respond well to being close to a ‘real’ audience.
Those who have visited include Olivia Colman, Idris Elba, John Boyega, Catherine Tate and many more.
Currently, big releases that have attracted customers to Peckhamplex would be the likes of Gladiator II and Dune II. This would be due to both films being highly anticipated sequels and for all tickets being priced at £5.99 this is a great cheap outing for the family.
Peckhamplex offers a unique and affordable cinema experience that brings the magic of movies to life without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re a film enthusiast or simply looking for a fun day out with the family, the vibrant atmosphere, £5.99 tickets, and star-studded premieres make it a must-visit.
