The facelift of the former Gate Bloomsbury was completed in 1986 within just seven weeks and, on a budget of £80,000. Notwithstanding the tight budget the scheme successfully evoked the feel of a French Art House and attracted a loyal cinema going audience. The decoration incorporates cream walls with a curve free pattern in dark grey. The bar has a black laquer finish, mirrors and the carpet was designed to reinterpret the entrances to 1930’s French apartment buildings.
There was insufficient budget to readdress problems arising from the twinning of the original single screen however new seating was installed in light blue velvet and the front of house areas improved. The strong graphic identity for the Renoir is used to mark the entrance through a Miesian box on the forecourt to the Brunswick Centre. This has proved to be an inspiration to photographers and we have curated a collection of our favorites published on Flickr.
