Patrons at The Coronet pub found it quite an adventure climbing the historic staircase. Remnants of its former glory as a 1940s cinema were visible throughout – including a Now Showing sign, black and white film stills and posters, and ornate gilded detailing. The red neon Coronet signage outside recalled the Holloway Road building’s previous incarnation before transforming into a Wetherspoons establishment.
However, this was not its original name. The venue first opened its doors in February 1940 under the Savoy Cinema moniker, having been designed by architect William R. Glen in contemporary Art Deco fashion for Associated British Cinemas (ABC). Despite the recent outbreak of the Second World War and the London Blitz, the cinema received permission to open as scheduled. It subsequently became known as the ABC in 1962 before adopting the Coronet name in 1979.
This renaming coincided with a period when television and home video viewing increased dramatically while cinema attendance declined, and the final picture was shown in 1983. The venerable cinema ceased operations – then functioned as a snooker hall for several years prior to opening as a Spoons in the mid-90s.
The pub chain made efforts to revive the original features of the historic cinema, and it remained an atmospheric – if sprawling – drinking establishment. Situated near Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, it attracted supporters on match days.
In 2023 Wetherspoons advertised it for sale and shut its doors in December of that year. DN Property London acquired it for an undisclosed amount as part of a 30-pub package that included The Toll Gate in Turnpike Lane.
Under new tenant The Toll Gate TPL Limited, live football screenings and DJs were introduced, and in April 2025 Islington Council approved an application to amend the licence to permit boxing, wrestling and MMA events.
However, as the Ham&High reported, a notice posted on The Coronet’s door in February warned of lease forfeiture for The Toll Gate TPL Limited. Bailiffs acting on behalf of DN Property London changed the locks and took possession of the former Art Deco cinema.
Manager Saeed Farsi later attributed the closure to escalating rents, and last month this beloved building still had the shutters down with graffiti covering the walls.