The site that was once the North London Polytechnic in Prince of Wales Road

• I WAS delighted to read that the cinema in the old polytechnic building on Prince of Wales Road seems likely to go ahead, (Rio cinema chief exec bids for North London Poly site, June 17).

Kentish Town has supported cinemas in the past and there’s no reason why we should not have one again.

The Electric Alhambra was once on the site of the Iceland supermarket at 303 Kentish Town Road, but sadly only lasted from 1911 to 1918.

The Palace Cinema lasted much longer at 197 Kentish Town Road and was there from 1913 to 1959.

Nigel Smith chronicled the fate of these picture houses in an excellent article, entitled “Take a walk through the cinemas of Kentish Town.”

The Rio Cinema would seem to be a good choice as a tenant. They are independent and have a good reputation for films that appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The rising student population who live in our area would seem to be ideal customers to aim at.

Those of us who have lived in the area for many years would love to have somewhere just down the road to pop into on an evening or at a weekend.

So I wish the Rio and the developers every success in their venture. Kentish Town could do with a new cultural venue.

MARTIN PLAUT, NW5