It's not vandalism to dream of reviving the Curzon Mayfair

IN the City, The Ned is buzzing and packed. There at a lunch time recently, it was incredible just how many people were dining, drinking, mixing. I remember it as the Midland Bank headquarters, all marble and grand, but empty and forlorn. That interior has been retained, but today the building is alive.

- Chris Blackhurst

Same in Camden. At Koko, once the Camden Palace, this week, the dreamy rock band, Temples, were playing to a full house in the main auditorium.

Behind and upstairs, on four floors, the public café and private members club compete with superb rooftop restaurant, were busy. Everywhere in the background, there was music, adding to the humming, lively vibe.

The attention to detail and consistency of theme is incredible, from private booths so people can listen to their own choice of vinyl, to wood panelling throughout which is cleverly modelled to seem like the fronts of speaker boxes.

The same team that transformed these tired places into landmarks plans to do the same again, with the Curzon Mayfair. They wish to retain the cinema's existing two screens, while introducing luxury seating and state-of-the-art audio and visual technology.

The current separate restaurant that forms part of the site will be amalgamated. Customers will be able to take food and drink into a showing.

Step-free access will be vastly improved. In all, they're intending to spend £15 million.