Like so many high streets up and down the country, Palmers Green has been hit hard by shop closures. With around a 9%* vacancy rate, the small conurbation has coped better than some, but vacant retail spaces continue to be an obstacle to social integration and the growth of the local economy.

The community are fighting back, led by Palmers Green Action Team, who have implemented several initiatives that have enhanced the high street including street art, tree planting, community events and targeting much needed new traders for the area. Sadly the latest and most ambitious initiative has hit the buffers. The community are being held to ransom by indifferent landlords who prefer to leave their large units empty and now, stronger support from the local authorities is needed.

What do we want?

A Cinema and Arts Hub for our local community, to take the place of huge empty shops that have lay vacant for years.

Palmers Green Action Team have been working for years with various operators, developers, and landlords to secure an independent cinema and arts centre for the high street. Despite several suitable retail sites that have been vacant for years and a cinema business waiting in the wings, the project has failed to deliver. ArtHouse Cinema who already run a successful cinema in Crouch End are chomping at the bit to expand into Palmers Green and have partnered with PGAT. 

After fruitless negotiations and dead ends, we have started a petition to show landlords the value of listening to residents and providing what they want and need on their high street. It’s a bold attempt by the local community to reverse the decline of their high street, the petition to support the opening of ArtHouse cinema has reached nearly 3000 signatures in a matter of days, and we are now demanding that the landlords and the local authorities back the project.

The campaign has the backing of local Labour MP Bambos Charalambous:

“I am hugely supportive of the campaign to bring an independent, art cinema to Palmers Green. I believe it will be great for the local area and will help to rejuvenate our high street after a difficult few years during the pandemic. I am confident it will be a unique local space for everyone in the community to enjoy and I will support every effort towards making this a reality.”

ArtHouse Cinema in Crouch End sees the huge potential in Palmers Green and has an incredible vision for the Arts Hub he wants to create:

Sam Neophytou, Managing Director of Art House said: “ArtHouse is a truly independent cinema and live performance space. Its first site in Crouch End has played a huge role in the cultural and economic regeneration of the high street. By mixing the world of film, fine art, live music, discussion groups, theatre, live streaming from RSC and NT, workshops, dance, comedy and whatever else that inspires, we strive to create a unique Arts Hub in Palmers Green for both Artists to feel inspired and lovers of the arts to be thoroughly entertained and moved.”

A report from the London Assembly* states that communities need to have a say in reviving 800 dead spaces across London. We are now calling on landlords and the local council to actively collaborate with the community to promote its economic and cultural development. 

Our campaign to have ArtHouse Cinema in Palmers Green will benefit the community by promoting:

-        a much needed ‘night economy’ offering cultural programmes and events

-        opportunities for ethnic minorities to integrate

-        the creation of youth employment

-        engaging projects for all ages

We need you, local people, to tell us what having a space like this would mean for our community, for all residents old and young. Please sign the petition, leave a comment, tell your neighbours, colleagues and friends about our campaign. And if you know the owners of those commercial properties, talk to them, we need a willing landlord who can become a champion for Palmers Green Cinema!