The Phoenix Cinema will hold a meeting on fundraising for the historic cinema this weekend.

The venue, in East Finchley, was nearly taken over by the Curzon Cinema chain at the beginning of this month. However the cinema’s board of trustees decided to put a brake on the proposal while they looked at alternatives following a public outcry.

At a public meeting in October, the board was strongly criticised by the public and its own staff for not fundraising enough over the last few years, while finances have declined

The campaign to keep the cinema independent was backed by patrons Michael Palin, Mark Kermode and Mike Leigh.

The meeting on Saturday will signal the start of new plans to fundraise in an attempt to preserve the cinema’s future.

It’s open to anybody who is interested in hearing about the plans, or are willing to volunteer their time or contribute ideas.

The event begins at 2.15pm and is free to attend. Anybody who is looking to attend needs a ticket, which can be reserved here: http://phoenixcinema.co.uk/PhoenixCinema.dll/WhatsOn?Film=11882447