Plans for what is believed to be London’s first LGBTQ+ cinema have been approved.
Simon Burke and Piers Greenlees, who opened the area’s first LGBTQ+ pub, The Rising SE1, in April last year, plan to open The Arzner, comprising a cinema and cocktail bar, which is named after Dorothy Arzner, a pioneering lesbian filmmaker who was the first woman to direct a Hollywood talkie more than 100 years ago.
Speaking at a Southwark Council licensing meeting, Simon said the venue would give visitors “access to art house and independent film”.
“We are currently the only LGBTQ+ pub in SE1 and this to our knowledge will be the only LGBTQ+ cinema in all of London. This licence will allow us to operate a safe space for all in one of the most LGBTQ+ densely populated areas of the country,” he said.
The Arznar, which will take over the home of independent cinema, Kino Bermondsey, in Bermondsey Square, will have one screen with room for up to 50 spectators, with a total capacity of 150 including the bar.
The licensing committee gave the new cinema and bar permission to open until 11pm Sunday to Wednesday and until midnight from Thursday to Saturday.