Experts offer to look at Odeon interior

8:37am Wednesday 17th September 2008 in News Photograph of the Author By Jo Winrow, City Hall Reporter

The former Odeon cinema The former Odeon cinema

Experts at the Cinema Theatre Association have offered to examine the interior of Bradford’s derelict Odeon cinema to see if it is worth saving.

Mark Nicholson, a member of the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (Borg), which is fighting to keep the building from demolition, believes interior photos they have acquired show that the interior is in a better condition than originally thought.

“The images also highlighted the survival of so much original theatre fabric and layout,” said Mr Nicholson.

“It is this photographic evidence that has excited the experts. Hopefully the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will take much more notice of the views expressed by these experts.”

Mr Nicholson is one of two people who have appealed against the Government’s decision earlier this year against listing the building. A decision on the appeal is expected shortly.

Eva Branscome, of the Cinema Theatre Association, said that having seen Borg’s photographs and the report to the DCMS, its members have offered to lend their expertise and escort an inspector around the building allowing a more thorough inspection to be undertaken.

Comments(13)

dazbot says...
9:25am Wed 17 Sep 08

Im getting sick of this, get it pulled down and replaced or sorted. Imagine having a building on your street in this condition..you wouldn't like it would you.

Now imagine visitors/tourists going to the Alhambra or Media Museum. What a f'ing mess Bradford must look to them, no wonder people slag this place off.

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Old Perculiar says...
9:37am Wed 17 Sep 08

So you're sick of it bazdot, and we should stop messing about and replace it with something quick, maybe a concrete tower, full of MDF and laminate flooring ?? we wouldn't get sick of that in a hurry would we....
The Odeon building is a landmark in time and architecture, and every effort should be made to restore this piece of Bradfords history to something resembling its former glory. The last thing we should do is take the easy decision, to pull it down and build another empty apartment block.

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Duke of Odsal says...
9:45am Wed 17 Sep 08

Sorry Old Perculiar but the building is most definitely NOT an architectural landmark at all. It is a garish and uninspireed example of nothing architecture, and its current state is as much to do with a lack of maintenance when it was still in use as it is due to it being closed and unused now. This interminable and ultimately pointless attempt to save it just a diversion and the sooner the building is brought down the better. I agree that the site is a prime one, and that whatever replaces it needs to be sympathetic to the buildings around it, but thats another argument.
Just because some people had their first kiss on the back row doesnt make the place worth saving!

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Old Perculiar says...
9:55am Wed 17 Sep 08

Hang on a minute Duke - have a look at the picture tagged to this article, and tell me that the Odeon building is not a landmark,,,,, look at the stone work and the features !! any modern day attempts to build and equivalent would consist of polystyrene and MDF.

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Juice Terry says...
10:29am Wed 17 Sep 08

The interior photos - past and present - are the best argument for saving and redeveloping this fine building.

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albion says...
10:57am Wed 17 Sep 08

Old Perculiar wrote:
So you're sick of it bazdot, and we should stop messing about and replace it with something quick, maybe a concrete tower, full of MDF and laminate flooring ?? we wouldn't get sick of that in a hurry would we....
The Odeon building is a landmark in time and architecture, and every effort should be made to restore this piece of Bradfords history to something resembling its former glory. The last thing we should do is take the easy decision, to pull it down and build another empty apartment block.
Nothing gets replaced quickly around here, look at all the holes and wasteland where much of the rest of the city used to be. So why all the dithering? there are people ready and presumably able to have a go at restoration, let them get on with it, it still is a notable landmark.

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dazbot says...
11:03am Wed 17 Sep 08

"So why all the dithering?"

I have no idea, can someone from Borg enlighten us?

Old Perculia, if you read my post I say pull it or sort it. I just want something done with it.

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Cristos says...
1:12pm Wed 17 Sep 08

Come on Duke of Odsal be honest. Im looking at the buildings close by and I must be viewing them without my glasses. The Alhambra - yes. Bottom of Sunbridge Road - enough said. Old police station - wow what a terrific building!. Replacement to Provincial House - nicely in keeping with City Hall?.

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Duke of Odsal says...
1:35pm Wed 17 Sep 08

my opinion of the Odeon doesnt mean that I am enamoured with some of the other buildings in that area. The Alhambra though is a gem - and crucially continues to fulfil a need in the city. Unfortunately the Odeon does not - neither as a cinema or as a nightclub. I admit the photo shows the building in a good light, but anyone who walks past the building can see that it is in a sorry state. Moreover, it is a crass pastiche of architectural cliches. Once again - I am NOT saying that the old cop shop or indeed most of what is around there is of architectural or other merit, but I cannot accept the premise that the odeon is somehow better than average - it just looks good amongst some poor 60's and 70's dross.
Of course, we are all entitled to our opinions and if we all liked the same things it would be a sorry world, but as far as I am concerned the sooner the odeon building comes down the sooner something else can be put in its place, and we wont have to look at the sad degeneration of a building that does have a place in the memories of many who grew up with the cinema as a part of their lives.

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Bagsy says...
1:52pm Wed 17 Sep 08

The Odeon building has been allowed to get into it's present state thanks to neglect by the likes of Yorkshire Forward who seem happy to let it deteriorate. The Council seem happy for this to be the case too.

Regenration bosses seem to be unable to come up with anything other than an anonymous concrete block in its place which will contain empty offices. Bradford is unable to fill its office capacity as it is so obviously other uses need to be considered.

BORG is the only body to have come up with an achievable plan for tidying the building up and putting it back into use. They've even found a buyer for it. Not that the council or Yorkshire Forward seem interested, I don't know why.

Thousands of people have mobilised themselves to try to save the Odeon building yet they remain largely ignored in City Hall. I fear that this will be another example of Bradford's building heritage that will be lost. Many people said the old Kirkgate market should be flattened and look what we got in its place! I bet they all wish they could turn the clock back now. Don't make the same mistake again.

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Cristos says...
1:57pm Wed 17 Sep 08

Duke you do miss the point Sir.
So lets pull it down. Then we can spend the next 4 to 5 years waiting for someone to build on it just like we did with the old Rawson Market, the F.Square Development and so on. We have seen one developer go to the wall in the past week so why on earth is it likely that someone else is going to invest in new build. The degeneration of a building does not necessitate its' destruction an example of this being the old Midland Hotel. Perhaps this is the whole problem we face in this City that those in charge dont see regeneration they see replacement. Let us not forget either that it is the same people who have allowed this building to get into the state irt is in in the first place.
So lets pull it down and use it as a car park for years. Or perhaps leave it and use it as a shelter for people who are walking in the Park in the City when it rains.

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dazbot says...
2:03pm Wed 17 Sep 08

If somethings not done soon, some body is going to get hurt by failing debris - then the council or Yorkshire forward will get sued, do they want that?

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toolatewhenitsgone says...
11:45pm Sat 27 Sep 08

Its sad just looking at this an old not used centre of entertainment and enjoyment replaced by another faceless concrete block . Should we just knock BIG BEN down ,now we have digital watches who cares well we should. This is an amazing building lovingly planned and built for bradford and should be included in your new town plan maybe your town hall is of less use, knock that down instead .If ever you are capital of culture it would be a centre of entertainment. Bradford councillors shame on you support your buildings at risk or lose your heritage .Remember all the building you have already lost that you would say should not have been redevloped ,if you dont future councillors will.Save this building for bradfords sake and all England it is important .Please

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