UK cinema company Really Local Group has entered liquidation after eight years in operation.
Founded with the aim of regenerating high streets in underserved areas, the company sought to create inclusive third spaces built around cinema. Over eight years, Really Local Group launched five community venues across London, employed more than 700 local staff, paid out over £8m in wages, and sold around 1.5m cinema tickets.
Its venues transformed disused shops and nightclubs into affordable, multi-purpose community hubs co-designed with local residents. Each location offered a mix of cinema screens, live performance areas, café-bars, and flexible creative spaces.
From the outset, however, the company faced considerable challenges….