More than 30 buildings on ‘at risk’ list
Concern over Carlton Cinema, Clerkenwell catacombs, and the former Holborn hospital in Archway
Friday, 24th November 2023 — By Dan Carrier
The Art Deco Carlton cinema in Essex Road
FROM a cinema designed in the wake of a craze for all things Egyptian to hidden vaults for the unfortunate inmates of Clerkenwell prison, more than 30 Islington buildings and monuments have been deemed “at risk” by Historic England.
The conservation group’s annual register surveys listed buildings and includes the Carlton Cinema in Essex Road, which in recent times has been a Mecca Bingo Hall and an evangelical Christian church.
Its Egyptian-style tiling – part of an Art Deco movement prompted by the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb – is in danger of collapsing.
The Clerkenwell catacombs, also in need of restoration, stretch for more than 9,000 square feet.
They were last used as air raid shelters during the Blitz.
The former Holborn hospital in Archway, a Georgian wall at St George’s Gardens, and former cattle pens in Market Road have made this year’s register.
Historic England’s Tom Foxall said: “In the 25 years of the register, huge progress has been made in saving irreplaceable sites.
“Communities are at the heart of finding solutions and we are dedicated to supporting them so more historic places can be removed from the at-risk register.”
