Forum Topic

SO ...Vue Cinema goes from W12 Centre to Westfield

Is this the kiss of death for W12 Centre? Vue has been a magnet to the W12 centre and I can't see that the cinema can survive along side the Westfield Vue cinema. We do not need 26 screens in Shepherds' Bush. It makes sense for Vue to move into Westfield commercially if only because another film company would go in, but what will be the repercussions? A difficult one for the W12 centre management, sadly. Morrisons keeps business lively as many folk are not Waitrose or M&S minded. But is this enough?

Vivienne James ● 5827d23 Comments

Really? that's good news on the parking - not least for local residents who must welcome it.

Sara Nathan ● 5791d

May 15th London Informer. The signs in the centre saying "opening soon" recently replaced the ones promising "Autumn 09" which have been up since last October! It now covers all eventualities.Free first 2 hrs parking extended until September too.

Vivienne James ● 5792d

Signs in Westfield still promise the cinema(s) to open soon, but no date is specified.

Dan Filson ● 5792d

and Vue is supposed to open in the Spring 10

Vivienne James ● 5797d

I don't know whythe american company  promising  cinema de lux went bust

Vivienne James ● 5797d

It was never going to be before late this year - even when the economy was a bit chirpier.

Sara Nathan ● 5808d

Any idea when the Westfield cinema(s) is/are opening - no sign yet.

Dan Filson ● 5808d

I like Aroma. I suppose I eat a bit more than if I was choosing from a menu but there's so much different stuff and it includes fresh fruit, so I don't go mad. Some people do clearly come to spend the whole afternoon, though.

Susan Kelly ● 5808d

I've never been to an all-you-can-eat place (though my son has been barred from one or two I think) The whole ethos seems all wrong, encouraging gluttony nad obesity - frankly I don't need any encouragement!

Sara Nathan ● 5822d

SaraYes, very popular especially as no limit on how much you eat and how many times you revisit the buffet. The core price isn't so cheap, and of course drinks are extra. I must revisit. Often quite full, which is more than you can say of a lot of places. I hadn't realised there were others in London, must check their detailsI recall speaking to the management very early on and they were slightly rueing the rent they took on! That's showbusiness.DanDan

Dan Filson ● 5822d

Whoever cared about that?Aroma - that's the restaurant that's always quite busy - according to experts over on ActonW3, it's an oriental buffet and ratehr better than So Asia in Acton Hight Street.

Sara Nathan ● 5822d

There are 4 tower blocks on the south side of the Green and I rather thought one was integral to the West12 Centre, but it is I suppose possible to demolish or rebuild the cinema part without necessarily bringing the whole pack of cards down. It wouldn't be much fun for the residents!

Dan Filson ● 5823d

The Wetherspoons is busy though - so is the restaurant the other side....and Fitness First also looks quite well used...so there may yet be hope.

Sara Nathan ● 5823d

I've never actually looked to see what's on top! Is it flats? Maybe the place will just get boarded up, then. It's already looking dismally dead with the bookshop gone.

Susan Kelly ● 5823d

? Quite tricky to demolish what with what's on top. Maybe not. Agree about the legroom, plenty. My experience of the loos is not the same, not that I have ever checked the ladies, nor the other that often. Overall cleanliness seems OK considering the amount of popcorn flying around.

Dan Filson ● 5824d

I think the SB Vue is pretty good: the seats have lots of leg room and there are films that are otherwise only viewable in the West End. Prices reasonable in the afternoon. Downside: loos that smell of wee. I can't see the small mall surviving if the Vue moves out. It'll be demolished for flats.

Susan Kelly ● 5824d

Re "I don't quite know why they couldn't open the Westfield cinemas right at the start" The company that was supposed to bring in the Cinema De Lux owes a billion and is struggling in the US, I believe and so pulled out. Vue is to bring the same quality, and even three of the theatres will have their own restaurant! It will accomodate 3000 people so imagine my joy at the prospect of more cars and so on...Also Safeway actually was quite a decent supermarket, after years of being pretty poor and the minute that it had a makeover and became a real threat to tesco, it was taken over by Morrisons which immediately took its standards down, in my opinion. But it is value for money.

Vivienne James ● 5824d

I prefer Park Royal because it is nearer, cheaper and the parking is free and easily available. Movie repertoire not so hot but I do go to Curzon or BAFTA for the high end ones and do Vue for the blockbusters.The Vue is already practically West End prices so I don't think it will clean up on the plebs in the W12 centre while the nobs swan off to Westfield for deep chairs at a fiver more - unless the repertoire is very different indeed.

Sara Nathan ● 5824d

" ... a bowling alley!! Something for downstairs at W12 maybe?" In place of Morrisons? Fact is, here's a supermarket with bus stops galore outside, a housing estate on top, a car park handy, and it is just not good enough. Shape up, Morrisons, or some competitor will wipe you out, and no tears from me for that. Given the choice locally, Tesco in SBRoad is much better, in my view.I don't quite know why they couldn't open the Westfield cinemas right at the start, when the crowds were hungry for "the Westfield experience". Maybe they hadn't stocked up on tiny tubs of ginger ice cream! They were going to open in March, then delayed. Must check to see what the sign on the cordon says. There was also going to be a huge gym on the top floor of Westfield, but that hasn't materialised and there was talk of offices instead (though no a bad spot for luxury penthouses).Sara, I'm no sure I agree that Vue is bad. It's better than Park Royal. No Curzon, sure, you don't drown in deep chairs, but it is OK. It's the programming that is weak, and I wish they would put up posters that showed what the films on offer were about. And perhaps slighly less junky food to munch on.

Dan Filson ● 5824d

there has been an announcement that Vue is to open in the New Year in Westfield and that it will co-exist with the W12 centre cinema. Maybe the high end cinematic experience (director's cuts and leather seats)demanded from Westfield will make it more expensive and and so W12 will continue to attract its usual clientele. I do like the idea of a bowling alley!! Something for downstairs at W12 maybe?

Vivienne James ● 5825d

Is this speculation - has there been an announcement about Vue moving to Westfield? Agreed it's the kiss of death for W12 - at the moment though it's a pretty poor Vue: expensive, unwelcoming and not very well managed. Oh for a Curzon!

Sara Nathan ● 5825d

For those who like cinemas, and go by public transport, Westfield will need a much bigger trek than W12 Centre. It's a longer walk just to get into the mall from the bus stops, then to the top of all the escalators. Hope the screens are big, chairs comfy etc., and not too many screaming kids or trashy films.

Dan Filson ● 5826d

What happened to that fancy, upmarket cinema that was supposed to be moving into Westfield, then? And no, we definitely do not need 26 screens. Or even 14, for that matter. The amount cinemas charge these days it's hardly worth going anyway.

Lina Leaman ● 5826d