'We'll give Odeon plan six months' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'We'll give Odeon plan six months'

7:38am Monday 24th March 2008 in News By James Rush

Campaigners fighting to save the former Odeon cinema building in Bradford city centre from demolition have given themselves a deadline of six months to push through their scheme for its restoration - or they will then throw in the towel.

Plans which include a 2,200-seat restored auditorium, a restored ballroom, a three-star hotel with bars and restaurant and a third dome have been revealed by the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG).

The group now hope to have the scheme in total order before applying for planning permission within six months.

BORG member John Pennington told the Telegraph & Argus: "We have been asked to come up with plans and that is what we have done.

"We have asked Margaret Hodge at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for a six months' stay of execution.

"If we have not got everything sorted and approved in that time then they can pull it down."

The plans, which also incorporate a 700-capacity nightclub and parking for more than 200 cars, were drawn up by Harrogate-based architects and designers, SDA Jackson Calvert.

The 77-year-old landmark has been earmarked for demolition as part of Bradford Centre Regeneration's £55m development in the city centre.

Work on the former cinema is currently on hold until the DCMS decides the outcome of an application to English Heritage for the building to be listed.

Plans from BORG, however, could see the building used as a concert hall, nightclub and cinema, as well as a 132-bedroom hotel with links to the Alhambra theatre.

BORG chairman Norman Littlewood said: "These are not just pretty pictures - our concept works.

"The reproduction of a third dome on Thornton Road elevation gives the building even greater majesty.

"Forget tier upon tier of bureaucracy. Let the people show what they can do.

"This is a challenge to relish. Let's have some good news to put the heart back into Bradford."

Mr Pennington said a national car park company and hotelier had shown interest in becoming involved in the plans.

He said he had told Mrs Hodge that if the building is listed he will spend six months finalising plans, arranging funding and securing tenants.

He said: "We do not know how much this is going to cost yet.

"This is just a suggestion - it now has to go back to the drawing board and all the fine details need to be made.

"The wonderful thing about the auditorium is that there is room to have things such as boxing and there has been talk of snooker, as well as other entertainment.

"On the ground floor there will be a nightclub, which can be used not only as a nightclub but also a venue for bands."

BORG member Michael Bottomley said: "The authorities have always maintained the building has no future without a viable plan.

"Eight ordinary Bradford- ians have now produced one without even being allowed entry into the building."

Mr Pennington added: "This work should have been done by the regeneration company but all they want to do is demolish it.

"It is important that we do not lose an opportunity for a much loved building to become the focus for community cohesion in Bradford.

"We need to get people to want to come back into Bradford and this is one way we can do that."

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk

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