New life to be activated at former Stratford East Picturehouse

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and Cabinet will consider a proposal on 23 October for Oxygen ActivePlay to lease the Council-owned former Stratford Picturehouse, supporting the Stratford Vision.

Mayor Fiaz said: “It’s another milestone in the Stratford Vision and Building Newham's Creative Future cultural strategy as we secure the best possible return for residents.” 

She added: “Accepting the strongest financial offer will significantly reduce the ongoing costs of holding a vacant asset - currently over £21,000 per month - and generate vital income to support frontline services and our wider regeneration ambitions. 

“This approach is consistent with the Council’s recent decisions on other key sites in Stratford, as set out in the previous Stratford Vision Cabinet paper, where we have prioritised both social value and financial sustainability. 

“By activating this landmark building with a new operator, we are not only supporting local jobs and opportunities but also demonstrating responsible stewardship of public assets. 

“Every decision we make must deliver maximum value for money and help strengthen the Council’s financial position at a time when every pound counts.” 

The bid by Oxygen ActivePlay proposes turning the Picturehouse building into an indoor activity park for families including a café, trampolining, climbing, and soft play activities. 

Alongside other properties being brought back into use in Stratford, including the Rex Theatre being developed into the Jazz Café East, this proposal will realise the ambitions of the Stratford Vision. 

It will create up to 70 jobs paying over the London Living Wage, and Oxygen ActivePlay estimates that up to 300,000 people a year will visit, providing wider local economic benefit to Stratford’s Cultural Quarter and surrounding high street businesses. 

If the deal is supported, it will be a new chapter in the life of the Picturehouse and deliver on the ambitions of Newham’s Growth Plan and Stratford Vision. 

It opened in 1994 and was leased by Cineworld. But when that came ran into financial difficulties it closed in July 2024.

Published: 16 Oct 2025