Everyman Premieres at The Brentford Project

Luxury cinema brand, Everyman, has officially opened its doors at The Brentford Project, bringing a luxury, community-focused film experience to the area. This latest addition to Ballymore’s transformational development marks a new era for local entertainment, offering a distinctive, high-end cinematic experience unlike anything Brentford has seen before.  

We spoke with Chrissie Larkins, Operations Manager for Everyman South East, about what makes this venue special and why it’s more than just a place to watch films. 

"I Love Film, and I Love My Job!"  

With five years at Everyman and now overseeing eight cinemas, Chrissie Larkins is passionate about film, creating unique, welcoming spaces that reflect the character of their surroundings. "The first Everymancinema was opened 100 years ago, and today we have 48 cinemas, including 15 across London. With each new venue comes an opportunity to add something fresh to the brand – somewhere that feels distinct and connected to its local community," she explains.  

That connection is what drew Everyman to The Brentford Project, a place Chrissie says has been completely transformed. The development, carefully curated by Ballymore, has brought together an exciting mix of hospitality outlets, making it the perfect setting for Everyman’s redefined cinema experience.  

"Ballymore has nurtured such a brilliant group of operators here, and now, we’re adding to that mix with our innovative approach to entertainment, and it’s incredibly exciting."  

From pop-ups to permanence 

Everyman’s connection with Brentford began just a couple of years ago. Things moved quickly before Chrissie’s team teased local people with Everyman on the Water, a series of outdoor screenings in collaboration with Ballymore last summer – something that proved to be a huge hit with the local community. "As soon as Brentford was mentioned, I knew I had to have it in my portfolio," Chrissie recalls.

"We worked closely with Ballymore from the start, launching a series of pop-up screenings by the water. Hundreds of people came along to watch a great mix of films, with Barbie the standout favourite. We also showed family classics, musicals like Mamma Mia!, and a combination of new and old films. It was amazing to see the community come together."  

Now, with a permanent home in The Brentford Project, Everyman is ready to bring a truly unique cinema experience to the area and Chrissie says that Everyman Brentford is all about creating a more immersive and sociable cinema experience: “The venue features luxurious velvet sofas in every screen, allowing guests to sit back and enjoy their film in total comfort,” she adds. 

"The magic of cinema is about more than just watching a film—it’s about the experience that surrounds it. I still remember who I was with when I watched certain films, and that's something we want to bring to people here; great food and drinks delivered directly to your seat, and an atmosphere where memories are made."  

But Everyman Brentford isn’t just about film screenings. The venue has been designed to be a space for the whole community, with a generous lobby and lounge area where people can meet for a coffee or a cocktail, or simply relax. 

An experience for all 

Inclusivity is a big part of Everyman’s ethos, and Brentford will host a range of specialist screenings to ensure that everyone can enjoy the magic of cinema. From toddler and baby screenings designed for parents with young children, to Silver Screen showings for over-55s and subtitled screenings for accessibility, the venue is committed to making film more inclusive.  

"We want to build a real sense of community here," Chrissie says. "For many new parents, their first trip out with a baby is to one of our screenings, and we want that to be a really special moment."  

What’s coming up?

With the doors now open, Everyman Brentford is kicking off with an exciting lineup of films and events.  "There’s so much to look forward to with a year of great cinema ahead of us,” Chrissie concludes.

“We’ve got 'Wicked: Part II' in November, 'Avatar' at Christmas, and family favourites like 'Lilo & Stitch' and 'How to Train Your Dragon' this summer. We’ll also be screening National Theatre Live and opera performances, as well as hosting community events and classic throwbacks from April onwards.

"We can't wait to welcome the local community and are grateful for the enthusiasm and interest we've received so far. A huge thank you to Ballymore for creating such a vibrant neighbourhood; we hope our new venue becomes a true reflection of that spirit, offering a must-visit destination for everyone living, working, and visiting Brentford."

Find out more here.