A petition has been launched to save the retro foyer at Showcase Avonmeads cinema with its 'back to the 90s' atmosphere. Bristolians have taken to Change.org to put their names to the petition, with many mentioning their fondness for the cinema's neon lighting and bright interior in the foyer.
Launched by ‘Showcase Avonmemes' on Twitter and Instagram, the identity behind the main petitioner remains shrouded in secrecy. But if the foyer is saved, the person responsible has said they will come forward.
The petition says: “When stepping into the Showcase Avonmeads cinema you feel like you’ve travelled back in time. The colourful carpets, garish neon, and early 90s furniture make the cinema feel unique in a world where homogeneity is all too common”.
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It goes on to say that with the old seating and carpeting being removed and being replaced with new seating and half of the screens, fears are that the remainder of the cinema will be refurbished including the iconic foyer.
“We want Showcase to maintain and preserve the current foyer fittings (especially the neon) and that whatever work that is done in the future is keeping with the early 90s character of the building.
“We aren’t luddites, it’s inevitable that over time things will have to be replaced or upgraded to keep the building safe and functioning, as well as to improve the showing of films, accessibility, and the experience of staff. But what we ask is that the cinema keeps its unique character.
"For many of us, Showcase Avonmeads holds a special place in our hearts. We watch films there because its unique character reminds us of why we fell in love with cinema,” reads the petition.
Showcase Cinemas has not yet responded to a request for comment. Here are some of the comments from people who have signed the petition so far -
Understood that things need a lil sprucing and a spring clean every now and then, but the bright, joyful, neon foyer is what keeps people coming back! The cinema is celebrated for its individuality - don't take that away from the Bristol community!
I love the neon and our cinemas need saving - keep this one individual
Why wouldn't you want to keep the feeling that you're in Stranger Things StarCourt mall..???? I hope it can be saved and updated in keeping with its original now retro styling!
Neon dreams can never die
it'll annoy my boyfriend
The current foyer literally BRINGS JOY. It can have a little clean up I’m sure but preserve its essence!
Nothing bad ever happened in the 90s. Please let that live on in this beautiful place.
I love the character of that cinema. My kids have loved discovering cinema there
My friend and I were just here a couple of days ago and saying how much we love the facade and the foyer - the best looking cinema in Bristol! (The new seats are amazing though - nice work showcase)
This is the last of an old style cinema in bristol and needs to be kept
I travel 40 minutes every time I see a film just to go to Showcase Avonmeads for the nostalgia. Please don’t kill it.
Showcase Avonmeads is the last beacon of hope in this godforsaken world please don't mess with its lovely foyer
I love this cinema more than life itself. Especially the chairs..
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