Campaign updates archive
September 2010: The Quintin Hogg Trust donates £1m to the University of Westminster’s campaign to restore the Lecture Theatre/Cinema at 309 Regent Street.
The Quintin Hogg Trust has made the first donation to the University’s campaign to save and restore the historic Theatre/Cinema space within its Grade II listed headquarters building at 309 Regent Street. This gift of £1m launches the significant second phase and follows the recent successful completion of phase one of the project which saw the façade and Grand Entrance Hall restored and revived to create a striking venue befitting of these historic head-quarters in the heart of the West End.
The restoration of the Lecture Theatre/Cinema will create a state-of-the-art lecture theatre to enable Westminster students to learn in the best possible environment and will further enhance the exhibition and gallery spaces adjacent to the Grand Entrance Hall. The restored venue will also operate as a profile-raising, working cinema, showcasing student work as well as cutting edge cinema from around the world.
This donation enables the University to progress with the next phase of its campaign; developing the proposed activity mix for the space in consultation with key stakeholder groups and planning for the recruitment of consultants for the scheme. The University will also be making an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to become the next major partner for this project later in 2010.
As the ‘birthplace of British Cinema’ in 1896 – the venue for the UK’s first ever public display of moving pictures – the restoration will celebrate the history of the institution and its founding principles and create a living history accessible to all.
Footnote: The Quintin Hogg Trust was established in memory of Quintin Hogg, who in 1881 founded The Polytechnic (the precursor to the University of Westminster). The Trust’s key aims are to support investment in student accommodation and to aid the furtherance of its work in the educational field.
17 November 2009
The cinema project is mentioned in the London Evening Standard today. We have also written to everyone who pledged their support, if you haven't received an email please contact Lynda Knill.
22 October 2009
21 October 2009: BBC audio slideshow
Watch the slideshow on the BBC website
