Hi, I don't think the council should provide it, but they do need to help in the search for a plot of land. I did pitch the idea to the Picturehouse group, which owns the Ritzy, and they were more than willing to come for a meeting with the council. But when I emailed the mayor to suggest a plot, he did not reply. The main thing needed is a plot of land for the cinema/coffee bar. It is quite a tall order, but not impossible I am sure, especially if the council was willing to support it.
Isn't the guy who owns the Rivoli Ballroom looking to sell? See http://www.se23.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=253.
Seems like a win-win to me. The venue is preserved (restored to it's original function as the Crofton Park Picture Palace), Lewisham get a PR win for preserving a listed building, the owner gets the cash he needs, Picturehouse get a new venue in a prime catchment area on the borders of Forest Hill, Honor Oak and Brockley and we get a local arthouse cinema.