Inside the cinema hidden beneath a London pub

When Catford Mews unexpectedly shut its doors for good in late 2024, the borough of Lewisham in south London was left without a single cinema in its nearly 14-mile radius. Not only was the cinema itself lost but, with it, a bustling community hub. While the closure was a shock, the reasoning was not; according to a 2023 survey by the Independent Cinema Office, 45 percent of indie cinemas were operating at a loss, and Catford Mews fell foul of an all too familiar trend.

Few readers will need to be reminded of the challenges faced by UK cinemas more broadly; numerous Odeon and Cineworld locations across the country have shuttered, while in London even the West End’s beloved Prince Charles is facing uncertainty. Recent data shows ticket sales are up and holding steady in 2025, but due to rising running costs and landlord development plans, many of the buildings themselves that house cinemas are under threat. Like many of our cultural meeting points, it would seem that every space, no matter how cherished, is at risk.

With so much unease, it’s easy to forget that there are still hidden gems to be discovered – some right beneath our noses (or pub floorboards). An uncharted trip to Bellingham’s The Fellowship Inn proves it.

In the basement of what appears to be a traditional, wood-panelled boozer, is a room of explosive colour. In homage to its original 1920s decor, the 86-seat cinema screen is clad in vivid red velvet. With lavish drapes hanging from the ceiling and warm spotlights flooding every corner, it’s difficult not to be reminded of a grand ballroom, lovingly restored and somehow untouched. Against the backdrop of the grey train station which looms next door, the cinema is like a mirage in a most unexpected place. Perhaps we should be giving a second thought to what’s lurking beneath our feet more often.

Jerome Toole, founder of film club Snack Cinema, was similarly taken by the space upon discovering it. “I was thrilled to be introduced to The Fellowship Inn,” he grins. “It’s the ultimate pub-slash-cinema! A traditional and historic pub upstairs, and a plush, red velvet cinema downstairs with surround sound and even curtains to draw back when the film starts – though I did forget to do this for a minute at the beginning of the last screening.”

That was for a recent showing of 2015’s Victoria, described by Jerome as “a great film but a very tense and uncomfortable watch”, to coincide with its 10 year anniversary, and in collaboration with SE Film Club. Despite the disorientating ride, the reaction to the majestic surroundings was one of shared astonishment from attendees.

Not that it comes as much of a surprise to pub landlady Lenia Christodoulou. “It’s just a really breathtaking moment; showing people in to view the cinema for the first time is always thrilling as you’re anticipating their reactions.”

It hasn’t always been like this; The Fellowship Inn has survived a turbulent history. Constructed in 1923-1924, the Grade II-listed establishment boasts the illustrious honour of being the first pub to be built on a council estate in London. It gained notoriety in the 1960s due to performances by the likes of Fleetwood Mac and the arrival of boxer Henry Cooper, who lived and trained there in the run up to his 1963 fight with Muhammed Ali. It’s unknown whether he used the cinema much.

By the early 2000s, the building had fallen into a state of disrepair. A comprehensive refurbishment programme followed, with the cinema being renamed as the Bellingham Film Palace. Some historical elements, such as original windows, panelling and Cooper’s personal items, were preserved.

Lenia, who took over as the landlady of the pub in early 2025, recognises the need to balance nods to the past while also looking to the future. “It’s really important to us that we remain true to our local community – the pub’s history is a really important part of the Bellingham estate – but the area is constantly evolving and it’s our duty to keep up with that.”

Welcoming film clubs such as Snack Cinema feels like a step in the right direction. Reflecting on the club’s genesis at some of south east London’s great pubs, Jerome is looking to deliver a more immersive experience – and The Fellowship Inn is the perfect backdrop. “Starting at The Montpelier’s back room cinema was perfect but I soon realised how important good sound is,” he says. “That’s still the hardest thing to get right and I think it’s the sound that determines how engulfed you can be in the experience – how real it feels.”

“I particularly love music in film. Music has been a central presence in most of the Snack Cinema films. Rockers, The Wicker Man and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert all have incredible in-story performances, and Victoria has a haunting and beautiful original soundtrack by Nils Frahm which, at times, takes over from the dialogue, drowning it out.”

The unsettling feeling that grips Victoria certainly feels heightened due to the intimacy of the surroundings. To some, the location of where you consume a film may be unimportant, but The Fellowship Inn is proof that a cinema can leave an impression as deep as what’s unfolding on the screen.

Despite its subsequent restoration, the cinema is currently still only available for private hire due to licensing constraints. Behind the scenes, however, work is being done to change that. Lenia tells me: “The cinema is the next project on our hands; we hope to have showings for parents and babies, silver screenings and family films, as well as cult classics for the adults.”

As for Jerome, he’s already set his sights on the next film on the Snack Cinema slate, perhaps to take place at The Fellowship Inn again. “It’s one I’m really excited about – a film called Latcho Drom (Safe Passage) by Tony Gatlif.” Fittingly, it seems the cinema’s days as a forgotten treasure are behind it. A future as bright as its red velvet upholstery beckons.