Last updated: 3 February 2025
Next review: 31 January 2026
Waltham Forest Council has returned a much loved heritage landmark venue to its former glory. Transformation of the former Granada Cinema into a multi purpose cultural venue will offer the borough’s residents, communities and businesses an invaluable asset for many years to come.
Due to open this May, we will welcome new operators Soho Theatre Walthamstow to manage the transformed venue, focusing on delivering on the promise of a local theatre with a national profile. Soho Theatre Walthamstow is a community interest company and Soho Theatre is a charity and social enterprise with 25 years of sector experience, having launched their first venue in Dean Street in 2000.
In anticipation of the opening, the on sale programme is now live for advance bookings with an exciting line up of live performances from big names in national and international comedy, theatre, cabaret and a festive panto. With more shows to come.
This iconic venue is at the core of the council’s vision for Waltham Forest to become a cultural neighbourhood in the wider London landscape. It delivers on the council’s missions to build an economy that works for everyone and to make the borough a great place to live.
It is a testament to the hard work of our passionate community and residents in action, joining forces with Soho Theatre and Waltham Forest Council to bring this vision to reality.
- A 960 seat theatre
- Restored Grade II* auditorium
- The best live comedy, music and theatre, from all over the UK and internationally
- Four buzzing bars where artists, audiences and locals can meet
(Main Foyer, Ziggurat, Cross Hall and Circle) - A range of special events and activities
- Community studio space
- Restaurant
- Community outreach programmes
Soho Theatre Walthamstow is set to open in May 2025, bringing a range of benefits throughout the year for people who live, work or study in the borough. As well as a programme of community engagement with local schools, colleges, care homes, businesses and creative industries across the borough. Discover how Soho Theatre Walthamstow have been and will continue to enrich our neighbourhood here:
The former Granada cinema building
The Grade II* listed building was built in the 1930’s as a 2,697 seat cinema, known to be frequented by Alfred Hitchcock. It was also often used as a concert venue, hosting the biggest names of the day such as The Beatles, Dusty Springfield, The Who, The Duke Ellington Band, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, John Coltrane, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly. Between 1989 and 2000, the venue changed ownership several times before being sold to a textile business owner who renamed it the EMD Cinema and in 2003, the venue closed its doors to the public.
The investment into the venue’s revival is part of the council’s London Borough of Culture 2019 legacy commitment to place culture at the heart of its communities. The venue will help boost the local evening and night-time economy and support our existing businesses and residents. In 2019, Waltham Forest Council bought the building and started plans to restore and renovate it as part of the revitalisation of Walthamstow.