Revamp planned for Phoenix Cinema
Britain's oldest continuously working cinema, The Phoenix in East Finchley, is to receive a makeover after a £608,800 grant from the Heritage Lottery fund (HLF).
The revamp of the grade II-listed building will include the construction of a bar or café, repair work to the auditorium including the original Mollo and Egan plaster wall panels and barrel vaulted ceiling as well as the extension of the mezzanine.
The restoration is to return the phoenix to its art décor glory dating from 1938. The Phoenix is the only historical cinema in London to have ever been given a grant.
Actor Michael Palin, one of the theatre's patrons, said: "This is terrific news. As the years go by and the old cinemas fall by the wayside, the Phoenix has indeed lived up to its name. Now there's an exciting future ahead for one of the capitals oldest cinemas."