Report this comment
  • "
    bradfordrich wrote:
    flashdonut wrote:
    Boycotting new business and development? Shaming compaines that want to set up shop in the failing town centre? Are you for real? Talk about up one's self.
    .
    It is no wonder that folk like me, ie too young to really appreciate what The Odeon means to some, have absoulute no sympathy. To give out this statements is pathetic and cheap.
    .
    I hope it gets knocked down as a matter of urgency and I hope you find that toy that fell from your pram.
    .
    Pathetic indivuduals.
    I agree, this city needs to progress not temain tied to the past
    How come that Leeds has progressed then by tying itself to its past, and retaining its historical buildings such as Kirkgate Market, The Corn Exchange, and the Victorian quarter with its arcades? These places bring in many shoppers and tourists to the city centre. If Bradford council had not been so short sighted in the past and demolished our Kirkgate Market, and Swan Arcade, etc., then it would have made Bradford a much nicer place for people to want to visit. The Odeon can be resurrected for a great idea such as The John Peel centre, especially with his connections to Bradford, but it cannot be if it is torn down. If that goes, what next? City Hall? Maybe that might not be such a bad idea, getting rid of our expensive and vandalist councillors hidey-hole."
  • This field is mandatory
  • This field is mandatory
  • Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.


  • Enter the above word in the box below

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.

'Name and shame' bid to save Odeon in Bradford

Campaigners fighting to save Bradford’s former Odeon from demolition have vowed to name and shame potential tenants of the new site.

They have also pledged to boycott any business which signs up to the £40 million New Victoria Place scheme and are encouraging people to support their cause by signing a petition.

But John Downes, managing director of developer, the Langtree Group, said the campaign would not weaken its commitment to provide offices, a hotel and apartments on the key site.

He said: “We are aware of opposition to development plans at New Victoria Place. However, along with our partners at the HCA and Bradford City Council, Langtree remains committed to delivering this project.”

A spokesman for the campaigners accused any business which signs up as a tenant of New Victoria Place as being “complicit in the Odeon's unnecessary demolition”.

He said: “If new businesses want to come to Bradford, that is clearly welcome. However, there is plenty of empty office and apartment space in the city which is available right now, without demolishing a beloved 1930s supercinema in the centre of the City of Film.

“The only way Langtree can go ahead with demolition is by signing up tenants for New Victoria Place within the set timescale. If they don't, the building comes back to the Council and therefore the people of Bradford.

It comes as the Telegraph & Argus exclusively revealed last week that a vital legal agreement over the planning permission for developer Langtree’s New Victoria Place scheme is due to be completed this week.

The signing of the Section 106 agreement then gives Langtree eight months to show the scheme is viable.

It is only at this point that the company would be able to demolish the Odeon building and must begin construction work straightaway. The scheme is expected to take 15 months to complete.

Consortium Langtree Artisan won a design competition to redevelop the site, although Artisan H has since gone into receivership, leaving Langtree to take over the joint venture.

A poster campaign has gathered pace, with some city centre businesses displaying “Odeon. Save It” banners.

Local Businesses

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree