One of London’s best-loved cinemas faces uncertain future.
The Curzon Soho, one of London’s flagship arthouse cinemas, may be knocked down to make way for the Crossrail 2 development.
The Shaftesbury Avenue venue was once named the best cinema in London by readers of the listings magazine Time Out, but its reign looks to be cut short as it has been named a “surface area of interest” by those organising the £25 billion railway project.
Crossrail 2 is a proposed follow-up to the current Crossrail development, which is aimed at easing congestion on journeys crossing London east and west. Crossrail 2 will connect south-west and north-west London.
Transport for London (TfL) said the Curzon was needed to build a ticket hall and entrance into the new Crossrail 2 station. Plans show that nearby Soho Square would be cordoned off and used as a builders’ depot during works which could take 10 years to complete.
Michèle Dix, TfL’s managing director of planning, said: “The Crossrail 2 Safeguarding was carefully planned to ensure that disruption to existing businesses and residents was kept to a minimum wherever possible.
“The plans that are subject to consultation have identified the Curzon Cinema, near Tottenham Court Road, may be required to enable the construction of a Crossrail 2 ticket hall. As the plans for Crossrail 2 become clearer, we will work with Westminster, local residents and business affected to ensure local impacts are kept to an absolute minimum.
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