Keeping Hollywood in Borehamwood as town's cinema saved

We made a decisive move to secure the immediate future of REEL Cinema at Borehamwood’s The Point which had been threatened with closure.

Working with Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, which has a key role to play as an entertainments authority for the town, and REEL Cinema, we have developed a solution that will keep the cinema open and save jobs which had been at risk of redundancy. 

Plans are already being worked up to improve the offering at The Point, a site which we own and leases out long-term to a property fund.  In addition, we will work with REEL Cinema to seek to establish an improved cinema offer for the town for the future.

Our Leader and Portfolio Holder for Asset Management, Cllr Jeremy Newmark, commented: “With such a proud film and television heritage, it was clearly untenable that Borehamwood should be left without a cinema at the heart of our community. 

“We are so pleased to have worked successfully with the town council, REEL Cinema and the building’s lessors to strike an arrangement that will save the jobs that were under threat and keep the movies rolling whilst longer-terms plans are developed.  Supporting the film industry is totemic to our economic development plans for the town and the borough more widely and I am excited to see what the future will bring.”

Cllr Richard Butler, the Leader of Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, added: "I'm delighted as the Leader of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council that we've been able to save the local cinema and keep its enjoyment for the many that have used it and will continue to use it. At a time when we need to keep our high street vibrant and show that Borehamwood is open for business the closure of this asset would have been devastating. 

"I'd like to thank Hertsmere Borough Council for its contribution. We will continue to support our high street and the people that live here."

Sunil Suri, Director of REEL Cinema, said: "We at REEL are delighted to continue our presence in Borehamwood, a journey made possible through the collaborative efforts with Hertsmere Borough Council and Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, together with our landlords. This partnership has secured the future of REEL Cinema at The Point, where we’ve been since 2008, preserves jobs and aligns perfectly with our mission to be the 'Reel Heart of the Community.' .

"As we work alongside the borough and town councils to enhance our cinema offerings in the near term, our commitment goes beyond the present. We are dedicated to playing a significant role in the long-term developmental plans of the area, ensuring that Borehamwood has a cinema offer that truly reflects its unique television and film heritage."

For a clip of Cllr Newmark explaining the decision at Full Council on 22 November, see 1:00:40 on this link.