Cinema in a car park (but not a drive in)

Last night saw cinema finally return to the centre of Ealing - on the top of a council carpark.

The 7th floor of Springbridge Road was transformed and a sell-out audience welcomed to the first screening of the Rooftop Film Society's summer schedule - last night 'Anchorman'.

The original idea for the rooftop cinema was from the outgoing Chief Executive of Ealing BID (Business Improvement District) Matthew Macmillan, who was delighted to see it finally happening.

'' It's great to be here and I'm just really happy to have helped in some way.''

Council Leader, Julian Bell, said when the idea was first suggested the reaction was of incredulity. Nobody believed it could be done.

'' But here we are, it's really happened. We're on the top floor of a council car park but we're at the cinema!''

He thanked Ealing BID and Land Securities for supporting the project and said it was a stop-gap until Ealing finally gets a real cinema back.

With the opening reception over and done ticket holders were seated in the deckchairs with their bright blue headphones and enjoyed the movie in the open air.

Blustery conditions weren't ideal but blankets and ponchos were at the ready. There were some complaints about the toilet facilities (third floor) but generally most seemed delighted to be at the top of a car park - to watch a film.

Were you there? What did you think? Discuss on the forum.

1st August 2013