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Mick Jagger has backed a campaign to save a historic north London cinema where the Rolling Stones played in the 1960s and where Alfred Hitchcock had his first taste of film as a boy. The EMD cinema in Walthamstow, north-east London, is Grade 2 listed in recognition of its art deco interior, and has been described as “the most beautiful cinema in London”.
However, it has stood derelict since 2003, when it was sold to the Universal Church of The Kingdom of God (UKCG), an international religious organisation which wanted to convert it into a place of worship.
Planning permission was refused, but campaigners from McGuffin, a local film society that has campaigned to save the cinema, say they expect UKCG to make another attempt to convert the building.
In the 60s the cinema, then known as the Granada, played host to top bands including the Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks and The Who.
Jagger said: “Cinemas and live venues like The Granada in Walthamstow where the Stones played in the early days, learning our craft on the way, are the lifeblood of our cultural history.
“They helped launched British popular music onto a world stage and should continue to function as places of entertainment and enjoyment.
“It’s heartbreaking to hear about such a beautiful, important historical building and centre of entertainment being lost to the local community.
“I fully support the campaign to keep it open and provide film, music and the arts for generations to come.”
The campaign has also attracted support from broadcaster Tony Robinson, actress and comedy writer Meera Syal and politician Tony Benn.
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