The Bradford Odeon was built in 1929 and closed it’s doors for the last time in 2000. Bradford City Council and the owners of the building wish to demolish this grand cinema amongst much local opposition. The Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (B.O.R.G) have been fighting a valiant battle along with many Bradfordians seemingly to no avail, I believe English heritage have turned down listing it on 6 occasions. The building is very high profile, even more so as It has just been featured in a negative story in the local evening paper. Things aren't looking good for the Odeon.
Bradford Odeon was one of the largest cinemas in England when it opened in September 1930. It started life as the New Victoria Cinema with 3318 seats and also had a cafe, a ballroom, 10 dressing rooms and a Wurlitzer Organ. The architect was William Illingworth who designed the building in an Italian Renaissance style.
View of Odeon 2 the largest auditoria from the projectionist box.
Odeon 2 big screen 2008.
The cinema was modified into twin cinemas in 1969 and became the Odeon film center. Behind the false walls and ceilings are many of the original balconies and the ornate plasterwork. evidently it's not grand enough to warrant listed status!!!!
This can't be worth saving then??
Odeon 2 projection room. Suprisingly everything is still intact.
The view looking across the water damaged foyer towards the smaller screens 1 & 3.
This is Odeon one created in 1969 when the twin cinemas and Bingo hall were created. You can see rows of dusty empty seats. Through the beam of the torch you could see a continual snow shower of dust falling down.
Looking in the opposite direction of Odeon one you can see the original decor is covered by false plasterboard walls and ceilings. during the 1969 modifications the auditorium was split into three units. The former stalls area was converted into the Top Rank Bingo Club with capacity for over 1,000 players.
Odeon 3 the smallest and newest screen to be added in 1988. You can see the contrast of styles, the false ceiling hides the original ceiling but the original 1930’s pillars haver been retained.
This is the view of the fully intact bingo hall that closed in the summer of 1997.
The Bradford Odeon is massive. In total we spent 4 hours in there. Unfortunately long exposure light painted shots take there toll on torch and camera power. I need to get back real quick to photograph those old balconies and original ceilings.
There's my full history and archive picture story of the Odeon here.
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=369914900
Last edited:
Sal
