KICC CONCERT IS ‘RELIGIOUS EVENT’ SAYS COUNCILLOR….(and cinema in West Norwood still a Blade Runner)

KICC CONCERT IS ‘RELIGIOUS EVENT’  SAYS COUNCILLOR….(and cinema in West Norwood still a Blade Runner)

THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH which owns the former cinema at 25 Church Road is holding a ‘Night of Joy music concert’ there tomorrow (Saturday July 19th)

The event is the latest to be staged by KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) in the building which local people want to see turned back into a cinema – and despite a KICC planning application to turn the building into a church being refused by Bromley council. (See numerous stories)

Leaflets handed out in the Upper Norwood Triangle state: “KICC The Open Door and host pastor Dipo Oluyomi invites (sic) you to Night of Joy music concert.

“Special guests ministers Lara Martin; Muyiwa and Riversongz; Chiedu Nwanze; Abby Godwin; Deborah Oluyemi; KICC Soutrh of the River choir and Xprexxions.”

The leaflet lists shuttle service times from 4.30pm – one from the Open Door community centre Wimbledon going through Streatham and Beulah Hill to Crystal Palace;

one from the Open Door community centre going via Mitcham and Thornton Heath to Crystal Palace; and one going from KICC Hoe Street Walthamstow passing through North Greenwich to Crystal Palace.

The concert is scheduled to start at 6pm.

A return service “will operate immediately after the concert”  to the original pick-up points. The concert is due to finish at 9pm.

A search of various websites describes one of tomorrow evening’s artists as a worship leader, another as a former worship pastor.

Newly-elected Bromley Cllr Richard Williams told News From Crystal Palace: “Due to the concerns of residents to the event that took place on New Year’s Eve we were promised that enforcement action will be taken if another event of a similar nature.

“From reading the advertisement for the event on the 19th it is clear this is going to be a religious event, something that Bromley have said action will be taken.

“We have contacted Bromley council regarding this event demanding that action is taken if found that they are breaching the planning law.

“Since the start of the campaign to bring a cinema to 25 Church Road both Angela Wilkins (fellow ward councillor) and myself have been strong campaigners as have members of the local Labour party.”

A Virtual Norwood blogger who contacted Bromley council’s planning department says he has received the following response:

“As with previous events this one is also considered to be an act of worship and so falls outside the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003. “I understand that a planning officer will be attending site on the 19th July to assess the planning position.”

But the blogger adds: “I actually can’t seem to find an email for the planning department that works, it keeps on bouncing it back saying its full. “One way of avoiding complaints from the residents.”

….AND WEST NORWOOD CINEMA STILL A BLADE RUNNER

Picture House cinemas, responding to rumours both on Virtual Norwood and local gossip that the West Norwood cinema plan had been scrapped told News From Crystal Palace:

“We are undergoing very positive negotiations with the London Borough of Lambeth and are entirely committed to the project. “As we enter the final stages of cementing this partnership we look forward to formally announcing the development of the West Norwood library and cinema.”

Picture House cinemas have recently announced the purchase of the St Thomas More hall in Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, where they plan to install three big screens and a cafe.