Odeon & Classic Cinema

History

A photo of the property during it's time as an Odeon, which lasted 30 years.

The cinema opened as an Odeon on 2nd September 1937 with a showing of 'It's a Grand Old World,' featuring Sandy Powell. Built as one of the original Odeon's in the chain began by Oscar Deutsch, it had seating provided for 1084 in the stalls and 476 in the circle. The building boasts a stunning Moderne style exterior which includes a rare projectionist's walkway, most of which is deterioriated today. After thirty years of use, the cinema was taken over by the Classic Cinemas chain in 1967, but only for nine years, and shut in 1976 with a final showing of Kenneth Williams in 'Carry On Behind.' Part of the reason for the cinema's closure relates to it's less than prime location as it away from the tourist going centre.

The building has been occupied with lower level companies every since, including DIY and furniture shops. The current owner is Homemakers 1st Shop. With the building not being listed, the interior has been allowed to deteriorate above the shop, sealed off by drop down ceilings. Nevertheless, the current user stores stock in almost every room upstairs, including the circle.

Here is a photo of the building with it's second most recent owner.

With the occupants in the lower floors, it definitely wasn't going to be simple going and also not for the day time.

Although it was full of what seemed like random items, the ceiling details were nice as well as the gold circles on the soundproof walls that joined the hall to the projector space.

Looking up to the top of the cinema from the lower levels. Nowadays, this would be the shop floor.

Today, the front of the stage is blocked by a fibreglass wall, and no seats remain.

Closeup of the huge light fittings.

The doors in the cinema were one of the most interesting parts left, personally. These would take the visitor into the top level of the foyer.

These details at the back of the hall are original and kept well over the years.

Ashtrays and carpet.

In full.

Now.

It was disappointing to say the least that there was minimal items inside of old, but the architecture was quite nice with the light fittings, and an old electrical circuit at the side.

An old photo showing the projector room. The left wall circuit is exactly the same today.

More modern photos of the projectors changing over time.

How it appears today. You might start to see a theme of these boxes.

The electrical circuit.

A plaque at the top of the circuit, showing it's heritage.

Various features around the projector room.

Inside the iconic projectionist's walkway.

The lower floor must be in use for the shop but again, halved by drop down ceilings.

The foyer in the past.

The foyer's balcony as it appears today.