A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how busy our week had been. We’d had the TV cameras in, the journalists and the photographers. I won’t lie: we love the attention and let’s face it, the shop is looking pretty damn hot right now so if you’ve got it why not flaunt it? It made me think though just how far has the Pall Mall Barbers brand reached? What TV channels have aired shots of us or which magazines have done a photo shoot in what is quickly becoming an iconic barber shop? So I started to do a little digging in our chaotic basement office and my results were staggering.
As for TV we’re progressing happily up the leader board. In the early days you might have seen us on a regional news item or two but then we started to get noticed. We might not have appeared yet in a Guy Ritchie film but we’re hitting prime time TV. There was of course the interview with Calum Best as part of the Celebrity Come Dine with Me show. From Calum Best to Louie Spence and his Sky 1 programme Show business. Personally I found the series hilarious, well maybe not as funny as Pineapple Studios but still cringe worthingly silly and we got to take part with our very own Richard chatting away with Beckham and David Brent lookalikes. If you don’t believe me, come in and see the pictures!
So while we might still be a rising star in the world of movies, we’re certainly considered one of the big boys in the journalistic spheres. We’ve had all the major broadsheets in here whether it be to try out one of our famous luxury shaves or to consider the qualities of our haircuts. The Daily Telegraph wrote this about our wet shaves: “As various potions are rubbed into my skin and I’m buried under hot towels (to open the pores) I start to understand the appeal of the wet shave. I like the ritual and the care.” I couldn’t agree more – though I normally sport a well groomed beard I do a couple of times a year sit back and experience the indulgence of a wet shave.
If you think the Daily Telegraph had nice things to say about us it’s rivaled by The Observer who wanted to see if we represent good value for money. They were investigating whether it was possible to get a £52 quality haircut for half the price. – here’s what they said, “The cut was very good (they offer more than a short back and sides and Brylcream), conversation not too intrusive and, most importantly, I saved over £35. In short, I was able to satisfy my high standards without crippling my wallet”. These are just a couple of papers’ comments but there are more, many more, but if I was to list them all this would become a very long blog and we’d just be showing off, I mean if I was to tell you all the positive things The Times said, well I would be positively blushing!
So we’re liked by those who work with the written word and the crowd who demand “Lights, Camera, Action!” but what about the über fashion conscience magazines and fashion shoots? Well it’s here where we go from rising star to king of the barbers. Sorry if I sound arrogant, I think I’m more of a proud supporter. I could believe it when we went through all the magazines we’ve appeared for: shoots for Zoo, Loaded and FHM, Men’s Health and GQ. Morgan Rees, Editor-In-Chief at Men’s Health Magazine described Pall Mall Barbers as, “The best mix of old school service and razor sharp haircuts…” Now that’s a pretty special sound bite from someone who really knows what they’re talking about.
Of course it’s not just the coverage about us specifically: we also have people who want to use our fabulous setting to show off their own product. There was the national campaign by Clarks Shoes and the very stylish Conde Nast, who conducted an extremely impressive looking shoot in the store for New & Lingwood, exuding glamour and attitude.
These are but a taste of what we’ve been up to over the last few years and don’t worry there is plenty of more in the pipe line. Rumour has it we might be producing our own online film footage set in the shop… but that’s just hearsay.
What I should state is though we’re proud of how our shop is all grown up and proving a great hit, we haven’t got arrogant nor lost sight of what we’re all about: to give top quality haircuts to our wonderful and diverse cliental. It is after all what we do best! Just let me know though if you want an autograph and I’ll see what I can do.
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Friday, 1 July 2011
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Summer Holidays
“Fish gotta swim, Birds gotta fly…” The latter is hardly an option for me so I’ll have to stick with swimming. I’m referring to the need to get trim for the summer holiday. There are people out there like Richard who go to the gym all year round – I think they refer to it as “training”. It is part of their lives rather than to improve their lives. They buy into the kit, the supplements, even the social life, which only exists amongst the hardened regular attendees of the gym (they are to be found normally in the free weights section or in the steam room and are identifiable by their large leather belts and smelling of protein – it’s an eggy sort of scent).
If you’re like me you probably exercise because you feel you need to. This need could be fuelled by a shocking realisation that you aren’t as fit now as when you were a teenager, proved beyond doubt when, climbing the escalator at the tube station, you find you’re having to spit a bloody phlegm on reaching the summit. It could however be a much more poignant reason to exercise – vanity. I’m heading off in a couple of weeks to Spain. I can’t wait – I love Spanish food, the weather is going to be a scorching 30 something and I plan to take with me a small library of holiday reads, because that’s the foundation of a summer break for me – lying on my backside reading a trashy crime novel whilst toasting my pork belly. Why haven’t local libraries cottoned on to putting sun beds in their buildings? – it would be a hit.
Don’t get me wrong; I also enjoy checking out the cultural sights and exploring the area in general. On this holiday I’m planning to check out a couple of Moorish towns and some ancient caves – check me out! But I digress, I was talking of vanity. Having worked in a health club in my youth, I know there are fundamental times in the calendar year when you can be sure of a large intake of new members. The largest is New Year. I recollect writing a little about this in my “New Year’s Resolution” blog. Another heaving intake is in the autumn; it’s the back- to-school rush. It’s funny how in our childhoods we are drilled into thinking of a new year starting in September and we take that mentality right through life. However the other major time when a Health Club sees a sudden intake of new members is when the sun comes out in early summer. It is a time when mentally we awaken from our wintry hibernation; when suddenly we find ourselves to be “morning people” and able – figuratively - to jump out of bed, rather than growl and crawl our way to the office. It is at the start of summer when either plans are made for the holiday or bookings made long ago during the snowy era we try not to think about come happily back to the fore. With these happy preparations comes the sudden realisation that our naked flesh will soon be seen on a Mediterranean beach. Whilst we try to make the best of a bad situation by sporting garish swim wear bought from the high street fashion shop, there is no denying that not only does the typical Brit’s skin tone match that of the tenderest of veal cuts from a Gordon Ramsey restaurant, it has also been storing up fat during those bleak winter months when the only option was to eat copious amounts of Indian take-aways whilst binging on vast quantities of HBO box sets.
So it’s quickly off to the gym to try and at least “tone” what we’ve got. I don’t know if you can tone muffin tops but I sure as hell am trying. Not to burst the bubble but frankly if you want to get trim for that summer holiday you’ll need to start working out long before the start of summer, but that would make me a hypocrite. So I’m trying something new this year. No more buying into the gym – it’s swimming for me. Have you seen Olympic swimmers? Talk about being broad at the shoulder, narrow at the hip etc etc. Olympic rowers are beasts; swimmers are the Adonis - and in my opinion these are the two most impressive athletes at the games.
So I swim. It’s refreshing on a warm day and I’m sure that I am nothing more than a fair weather swimmer: come the autumn, it’ll be back to the settee for me for another year. In the meantime you’ll find me at a local authority pool doing my 80 lengths (2,000m), trying not to swallow too much water and attempting not to experience “lane rage” which I have witnessed on a couple of occasions. I’ll keep you posted on how my vanity regime goes and of course on my holiday in Spain. One thing is however painfully clear: no matter how much I tone up for my holiday, I will leave with skin the colour of veal and will return with skin the colour of freshly cooked lobster – sigh…
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If you’re like me you probably exercise because you feel you need to. This need could be fuelled by a shocking realisation that you aren’t as fit now as when you were a teenager, proved beyond doubt when, climbing the escalator at the tube station, you find you’re having to spit a bloody phlegm on reaching the summit. It could however be a much more poignant reason to exercise – vanity. I’m heading off in a couple of weeks to Spain. I can’t wait – I love Spanish food, the weather is going to be a scorching 30 something and I plan to take with me a small library of holiday reads, because that’s the foundation of a summer break for me – lying on my backside reading a trashy crime novel whilst toasting my pork belly. Why haven’t local libraries cottoned on to putting sun beds in their buildings? – it would be a hit.
Don’t get me wrong; I also enjoy checking out the cultural sights and exploring the area in general. On this holiday I’m planning to check out a couple of Moorish towns and some ancient caves – check me out! But I digress, I was talking of vanity. Having worked in a health club in my youth, I know there are fundamental times in the calendar year when you can be sure of a large intake of new members. The largest is New Year. I recollect writing a little about this in my “New Year’s Resolution” blog. Another heaving intake is in the autumn; it’s the back- to-school rush. It’s funny how in our childhoods we are drilled into thinking of a new year starting in September and we take that mentality right through life. However the other major time when a Health Club sees a sudden intake of new members is when the sun comes out in early summer. It is a time when mentally we awaken from our wintry hibernation; when suddenly we find ourselves to be “morning people” and able – figuratively - to jump out of bed, rather than growl and crawl our way to the office. It is at the start of summer when either plans are made for the holiday or bookings made long ago during the snowy era we try not to think about come happily back to the fore. With these happy preparations comes the sudden realisation that our naked flesh will soon be seen on a Mediterranean beach. Whilst we try to make the best of a bad situation by sporting garish swim wear bought from the high street fashion shop, there is no denying that not only does the typical Brit’s skin tone match that of the tenderest of veal cuts from a Gordon Ramsey restaurant, it has also been storing up fat during those bleak winter months when the only option was to eat copious amounts of Indian take-aways whilst binging on vast quantities of HBO box sets.
So it’s quickly off to the gym to try and at least “tone” what we’ve got. I don’t know if you can tone muffin tops but I sure as hell am trying. Not to burst the bubble but frankly if you want to get trim for that summer holiday you’ll need to start working out long before the start of summer, but that would make me a hypocrite. So I’m trying something new this year. No more buying into the gym – it’s swimming for me. Have you seen Olympic swimmers? Talk about being broad at the shoulder, narrow at the hip etc etc. Olympic rowers are beasts; swimmers are the Adonis - and in my opinion these are the two most impressive athletes at the games.
So I swim. It’s refreshing on a warm day and I’m sure that I am nothing more than a fair weather swimmer: come the autumn, it’ll be back to the settee for me for another year. In the meantime you’ll find me at a local authority pool doing my 80 lengths (2,000m), trying not to swallow too much water and attempting not to experience “lane rage” which I have witnessed on a couple of occasions. I’ll keep you posted on how my vanity regime goes and of course on my holiday in Spain. One thing is however painfully clear: no matter how much I tone up for my holiday, I will leave with skin the colour of veal and will return with skin the colour of freshly cooked lobster – sigh…
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Sunday, 12 June 2011
Busy Weeks
There are busy weeks, and then there are frantically busy weeks, and that’s what we’ve had at Pall Mall Barbers. Where to begin? Should I tell you about Pall Mall Barbers taking a leading role in The One Show on Wednesday evening (which can still be seen on BBC iplayer)? Maybe I should tell you a bit about our very own Ben giving a wet shave in front of a crowd at HMV on Oxford Street. And then of course there is the news that Pall Mall Barbers has become truly international, as we were asked to be part of a Brazilian magazine’s article on the best global barber shops. As I said to Richard, if Pall Mall Barbers were a performer it would want an agent. I think one thing is for certain, Pall Mall Barbers is a classy celebrity.
First of all I should write a little on our appearance on The One Show. The article was all about hair transplants, a prominent issue currently in the tabloids owing to the revelation that Wayne Rooney got himself a rearrangement of hair follicles. If Pall Mall Barbers was the star of the show, then George would get the best supporting role for his confident contribution to the debate and there are some nice cameo roles by some of the other barbers in the background. It was a big honour to be asked by The One Show to participate in the show and we were more than happy to play our part. It is with the utmost respect though that I complain slightly about the content of the article. Some of you might have read my blog a few months back on hair loss and the options we face. Whether you’re pro or against hair transplants I think the show could have done more to examine why a man might consider going under the knife. As a man who started losing his age at 18 (12 years before the average) it isn’t just a mild inconvenience, it is a painful and sometimes humiliating experience. I do however understand that The One Show is about keeping it light and entertaining and most importantly have limited time to present the article.
So from one star in George to another – Ben. The leading role in this case I guess was the journalist from Zoo Magazine who was attempting to hang out in the Oxford Street HMV shop front window for 127 hours. It was all for charity so we couldn’t wait to get involved. There’s something to be said about wet shaves, that not only are they very luxurious for the recipient but they are also a great visual spectacle, so it was a perfect event to hold during the 5 days plus that Zoo was holding in HMV. Having had a shave from Ben, I know that however groggy and grimy The Zoo man felt before the shave, he will have felt invigorated for the remainder of his ordeal after the shave. It might not have been a prime time BBC event like George’s, but Ben nonetheless excelled during the 40 minute stint he had on the Zoo online channel.
So now we come to our last, but by no means least, moment of fame – our review in the Tam Nas Nuvens. It’s a Brazilian Magazine and the article is all about what we at Pall Mall Barbers hold as our core function – the tradition and luxury of old school barbering combined with modern fashions. The article looked at some of the best barber shops around the world at delivering such a demanding function. Barber shops from Sao Paulo to New York to London. I’ve never been but if I’m ever in Sao Paulo I’m definitely going to check out ‘9 De Julho’. It looks like a quality barber shop with plenty of attitude. As for our shop, the magazine described it as holding the secret to correct shaving! Check out the article: http://www.tamnasnuvens.com.br/revista/site/zoom.html?path=content/image/2011/maio/popup/&id=126&qtd=172
Well I hope you all had as exciting a week as we have and hope to see you down the shop soon for a shave with one of our celebrity barbers, who might just share our shaving secrets with you – if you ask nicely!
Paul, Mal and Barbara are waiting for you.
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First of all I should write a little on our appearance on The One Show. The article was all about hair transplants, a prominent issue currently in the tabloids owing to the revelation that Wayne Rooney got himself a rearrangement of hair follicles. If Pall Mall Barbers was the star of the show, then George would get the best supporting role for his confident contribution to the debate and there are some nice cameo roles by some of the other barbers in the background. It was a big honour to be asked by The One Show to participate in the show and we were more than happy to play our part. It is with the utmost respect though that I complain slightly about the content of the article. Some of you might have read my blog a few months back on hair loss and the options we face. Whether you’re pro or against hair transplants I think the show could have done more to examine why a man might consider going under the knife. As a man who started losing his age at 18 (12 years before the average) it isn’t just a mild inconvenience, it is a painful and sometimes humiliating experience. I do however understand that The One Show is about keeping it light and entertaining and most importantly have limited time to present the article.
So from one star in George to another – Ben. The leading role in this case I guess was the journalist from Zoo Magazine who was attempting to hang out in the Oxford Street HMV shop front window for 127 hours. It was all for charity so we couldn’t wait to get involved. There’s something to be said about wet shaves, that not only are they very luxurious for the recipient but they are also a great visual spectacle, so it was a perfect event to hold during the 5 days plus that Zoo was holding in HMV. Having had a shave from Ben, I know that however groggy and grimy The Zoo man felt before the shave, he will have felt invigorated for the remainder of his ordeal after the shave. It might not have been a prime time BBC event like George’s, but Ben nonetheless excelled during the 40 minute stint he had on the Zoo online channel.
So now we come to our last, but by no means least, moment of fame – our review in the Tam Nas Nuvens. It’s a Brazilian Magazine and the article is all about what we at Pall Mall Barbers hold as our core function – the tradition and luxury of old school barbering combined with modern fashions. The article looked at some of the best barber shops around the world at delivering such a demanding function. Barber shops from Sao Paulo to New York to London. I’ve never been but if I’m ever in Sao Paulo I’m definitely going to check out ‘9 De Julho’. It looks like a quality barber shop with plenty of attitude. As for our shop, the magazine described it as holding the secret to correct shaving! Check out the article: http://www.tamnasnuvens.com.br/revista/site/zoom.html?path=content/image/2011/maio/popup/&id=126&qtd=172
Well I hope you all had as exciting a week as we have and hope to see you down the shop soon for a shave with one of our celebrity barbers, who might just share our shaving secrets with you – if you ask nicely!
Paul, Mal and Barbara are waiting for you.
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Sunday, 5 June 2011
Giggling Barbers
If cab drivers are known for being chatty then barbers should surely be known for their banter and jokes. Maybe barbers are more known for their sage wisdom but if this is the case it’s way off the mark! Go hang out at Pall Mall Barbers for an afternoon and you’ll hear and see the staff tease each other, banter with their clients and generally keep themselves amused with their bizarre sense of humour. It’s a great environment for comedy. It’s a close intimate space, your “audience” is present/held hostage for a perfect amount of time (a stand up set of about 20 minutes) and most importantly the customer always has to laugh as the barber’s the one holding the sharp implement…
When I look at the Pall Mall Barbers’ website, specifically the biogs, I’m struck by two things. Firstly, the barbers have such wildly different interests outside of work and secondly the whole Top Trumps layout of the biogs suggests a mischievous silliness, which is far from guaranteed in the workspace. I’ve worked in many different environments from health club to the Ministry of Defence. The health club was without surprise the most superficial place I’ve worked at, though astonishingly the MoD contained characters that could give Eddie Izzard and the rest of the A list comedians a run for their money. The conversation based on everyone’s top 4 “short people” films still makes me giggle to this day (My favourite are: Freaks, Willow, Wizard of Oz and of course Star Wars; Return of the Jedi. Controversial I know but it’s full of furry, cuddly midgets).
The barber shop surpasses the comedy experience I gained at the Ministry of Defence though and I believe that’s a lot to do with the setting. The shop is geared to promote a feeling of relaxation, smartness and class. The open plan office that I worked in at the Ministry of Defence had none of these features. Coupled with this are all the comic props Morecambe and Wise would be proud of, by which I mean hair dryers, talcum powder, hair gel and of course, the hair trimmings. If you’re like me and even more like Rich you’ll love the humour based around the barber’s badger brush and the double entendres are endless.
So why have hairdressers not appeared more in British sitcoms? Of course the standout example is “Desmond’s” – a truly great comedy, in its time. I would however argue that Desmond’s is more about the Peckham community than it is about hairdressing – if I remember rightly there was very little to do with cutting hair – more “Pork Pie” bemoaning the latest mess he’d got himself into.
Good British sitcoms are incredibly varied – we’ve seen catastrophes take place in; hotels, health clubs, outer space and even more remote – the Yorkshire Dales. I guess it shows that good comedy is about clever character development and witty dialogue, but place setting has got to contribute massively. It is for this reason that I call forth – nay, clamour - for some classic barber shop comedy! It is what Britain requires, in fact we demand mishaps galore of a coiffed nature, set within the most quintessential of all British commercial settings; the castle of the high street, the retreat from a dangerous world, the sanctity of the great British comb over – we demand our British Barbers Comedy!
Bring me by Brush of burning gold
Bring me my Clippers of desire
Bring me my Talc oh clouds unfold
Bring me Scissors of fire
I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my Comb sleep in my hand
Till we have laughed and cried aloud
In England’s barbers across the land.
(Break out the organ solo).
Be advised – a storm is brewing at Paul, Mal and Barbara’s…
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When I look at the Pall Mall Barbers’ website, specifically the biogs, I’m struck by two things. Firstly, the barbers have such wildly different interests outside of work and secondly the whole Top Trumps layout of the biogs suggests a mischievous silliness, which is far from guaranteed in the workspace. I’ve worked in many different environments from health club to the Ministry of Defence. The health club was without surprise the most superficial place I’ve worked at, though astonishingly the MoD contained characters that could give Eddie Izzard and the rest of the A list comedians a run for their money. The conversation based on everyone’s top 4 “short people” films still makes me giggle to this day (My favourite are: Freaks, Willow, Wizard of Oz and of course Star Wars; Return of the Jedi. Controversial I know but it’s full of furry, cuddly midgets).
The barber shop surpasses the comedy experience I gained at the Ministry of Defence though and I believe that’s a lot to do with the setting. The shop is geared to promote a feeling of relaxation, smartness and class. The open plan office that I worked in at the Ministry of Defence had none of these features. Coupled with this are all the comic props Morecambe and Wise would be proud of, by which I mean hair dryers, talcum powder, hair gel and of course, the hair trimmings. If you’re like me and even more like Rich you’ll love the humour based around the barber’s badger brush and the double entendres are endless.
So why have hairdressers not appeared more in British sitcoms? Of course the standout example is “Desmond’s” – a truly great comedy, in its time. I would however argue that Desmond’s is more about the Peckham community than it is about hairdressing – if I remember rightly there was very little to do with cutting hair – more “Pork Pie” bemoaning the latest mess he’d got himself into.
Good British sitcoms are incredibly varied – we’ve seen catastrophes take place in; hotels, health clubs, outer space and even more remote – the Yorkshire Dales. I guess it shows that good comedy is about clever character development and witty dialogue, but place setting has got to contribute massively. It is for this reason that I call forth – nay, clamour - for some classic barber shop comedy! It is what Britain requires, in fact we demand mishaps galore of a coiffed nature, set within the most quintessential of all British commercial settings; the castle of the high street, the retreat from a dangerous world, the sanctity of the great British comb over – we demand our British Barbers Comedy!
Bring me by Brush of burning gold
Bring me my Clippers of desire
Bring me my Talc oh clouds unfold
Bring me Scissors of fire
I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my Comb sleep in my hand
Till we have laughed and cried aloud
In England’s barbers across the land.
(Break out the organ solo).
Be advised – a storm is brewing at Paul, Mal and Barbara’s…
Shaving London, Shave London, Wet Shaving London, Barbers in London, Barbers London, Barber shave London, Barbers W1, Barbers Mayfair, Barber Mayfair, Barber WC1, Barber shop Mayfair, Mens Hairdressers Mayfair, Mens hairdressing Mayfair, SW1, SW2, EC1, EC2 Soho, Convent Garden, St James, Pall Mall, London, Mens hairdressing London, Shaving London, Shave London, Barber shop, London Barbers, Shave, Barber shave, London Barber shop, Shave product London, Shaving Gifts, Shave gift, shave gift vouchers, wet shave gift vouches, mens shave, Mens shaving, shaving London, wet shaving, W1, WC1, WC2, SW1,SW2,SW6.SW6, safety razor, safety razors uk, safety razors for men, safety razors for beginners, double edged razor, double edged razor technique, shaving gifts, shaving gifts for men, shaving gifts London, shaving gifts online, shaving gifts him, shaving gift sets for men, shaving gift sets, shaving sets, shaving sets for men, shaving sets for men with brushes, shaving sets for sale, shaving sets with brush, shaving sets with mugs, shaving sets with safety razor, shaving sets with bowl, shaving sets with soaps, shaving sets uk, badger brush, badger brush shave, badger brush shaving sets, badger brush shaving kits, badger brush shaving soap, shaving brush, shaving brush stand, shaving brush set, straight razor, straight razor uk, straight razor shaving, cut throat razor, cut throat razor shave, cut throat razors for sale, cut throat, cut throat shave, cut throat shave London, gifts for men, gifts for men uk, gifts for men ideas, gifts for men who have everything, gifts for men who have everything uk, mens gifts, mens gift ideas,
Saturday, 28 May 2011
The Older the Better (part 2)
Last week I lamented about London’s rich architectural legacy… so, where was I? Continuing the theme, I attended a local council planning committee this week. I will be the first to admit that I am not political in anyway. In fact it takes quite a lot of persuasion to get me to a polling station during a general election, but I have been enthusiastic about this debate. It’s over the future of the EMD Cinema in Walthamstow. If you don’t know what it looks like, read more here. It’s a beautiful building both to look at from the outside and on the inside – well, it used to be. It’s where Alfred Hitchcock went to watch films as a boy. I like to think of a young, tubby, rather earnest Alfred, probably heading to a Saturday morning double bill by himself and thinking, “I bet I could be good at this!” It’s also been a live music venue and has seen acts like The Beatles, Jonny Cash and the Rolling Stones perform.
If you walk past the cinema today you wouldn’t even notice it. It is completely covered in boarding and scaffolding. The building has been shut for nigh on ten years; in 2003 a church group from Brazil bought the place and wants to turn it into a mega-sized place of worship. I have nothing against religion or church groups but to see such an iconic building cut off from its history, and forced, like an Elizabethan dancing bear, to perform tasks so alien from its instincts, is heart breaking.
At the council meeting on Wednesday night there was a huge presence of local residents protesting against the church plans and I should also mention that the church too had brought its supporters, mainly from neighbouring boroughs to cheer on its case. The arguments to keep the cinema as an entertainment venue highlighted the potential for economic regeneration for the area and also its brilliant history. Both are sound arguments. The economic side appeals to my head and the history appeals to the heart.
Both sides were extremely vocal and on the most part relatively friendly to each other, though one woman told me I shouldn’t be frequenting dens of pornography and lust. I assume she was referring to the cinema and not the council meeting… One extreme exception however was the church’s pastor who was allowed to speak. I can only say he came across as an aggressive bully, more likened to a city trader then a man of the cloth, but that’s more likely naïve idealism on my part. This pastor, I fear, treats history and historical artefacts like I did as a boy – with oblivious ignorance.
The verdict from that meeting was extremely positive for our cause. The planning committee chose to reject the church’s request not only to build within the cinema but more importantly to allow its use to be changed. We left the hall as victors of a battle but not of the war. As we walked home we passed some church supporters waiting for a bus, we heard one philosophically state, “It wasn’t God’s will.” I hope the Pastor comes to the same conclusion and sells the cinema, so it can be saved before it rots and falls to the ground.
Everyday we walk past fantastic history but rarely do we stop, look up and think about what that building has seen, what people walked through those doors, how it adds to the rich tapestry which is London. Pall Mall Barbers salutes you EMD Cinema and hope one day to advertise your film listings in our shop window!
Beware: Paul, Mal and Barbara are coming!
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If you walk past the cinema today you wouldn’t even notice it. It is completely covered in boarding and scaffolding. The building has been shut for nigh on ten years; in 2003 a church group from Brazil bought the place and wants to turn it into a mega-sized place of worship. I have nothing against religion or church groups but to see such an iconic building cut off from its history, and forced, like an Elizabethan dancing bear, to perform tasks so alien from its instincts, is heart breaking.
At the council meeting on Wednesday night there was a huge presence of local residents protesting against the church plans and I should also mention that the church too had brought its supporters, mainly from neighbouring boroughs to cheer on its case. The arguments to keep the cinema as an entertainment venue highlighted the potential for economic regeneration for the area and also its brilliant history. Both are sound arguments. The economic side appeals to my head and the history appeals to the heart.
Both sides were extremely vocal and on the most part relatively friendly to each other, though one woman told me I shouldn’t be frequenting dens of pornography and lust. I assume she was referring to the cinema and not the council meeting… One extreme exception however was the church’s pastor who was allowed to speak. I can only say he came across as an aggressive bully, more likened to a city trader then a man of the cloth, but that’s more likely naïve idealism on my part. This pastor, I fear, treats history and historical artefacts like I did as a boy – with oblivious ignorance.
The verdict from that meeting was extremely positive for our cause. The planning committee chose to reject the church’s request not only to build within the cinema but more importantly to allow its use to be changed. We left the hall as victors of a battle but not of the war. As we walked home we passed some church supporters waiting for a bus, we heard one philosophically state, “It wasn’t God’s will.” I hope the Pastor comes to the same conclusion and sells the cinema, so it can be saved before it rots and falls to the ground.
Everyday we walk past fantastic history but rarely do we stop, look up and think about what that building has seen, what people walked through those doors, how it adds to the rich tapestry which is London. Pall Mall Barbers salutes you EMD Cinema and hope one day to advertise your film listings in our shop window!
Beware: Paul, Mal and Barbara are coming!
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