Vandals set back revamp at Odeon (From York Press)

Vandals set back revamp at Odeon

10:30am Saturday 15th September 2007 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

YORK'S former Odeon cinema is now unlikely to re-open until next year after vandals broke in and damaged the main screen and foyer area.

The company which has bought the picturehouse, independent cinema chain Reel Cinema (UK) Ltd, had originally hoped to reopen it during the summer holidays prior to the start of a major refurbishment scheme.

But managing director Kailash Suri said today that it was now planning to carry out an extensive refurbishment of the complex in Blossom Street before allowing the public back in.

He said the company and its architects would be entering discussions this autumn with City of York Council and English Heritage to come up with acceptable proposals to restore the art deco cinema to its former glory.

He said details such as how many screens the cinema would have would be determined following those discussions, although he has said in the past that it might be divided up into five screens - with the large auditorium being split into two and the existing two screens being turned into three.

Mr Suri confirmed it was now unlikely that the cinema would be able to reopen this year.

He revealed that even though the building had been boarded up since it was closed down in August last year, somehow vandals had been able to get in and slash the main screen in the former Odeon One.

They had also caused damage in other areas, including the foyer.

Mr Suri said that a series of licensing conditions had been agreed with City of York Council, including steps to prevent people loitering and causing a nuisance outside.

He said the car park area at the back of the cinema would be for staff only, apart from disabled customers, and clamping would have to be carried out to enforce this. "We need the cooperation of the public on this," he said.

Reel's decision to buy and restore the cinema has delighted more than 13,000 Press readers who backed our Save the Odeon campaign, which called for the old cinema to be both kept open and refurbished.

Mr Suri has spoken of the company's plans not to just provide a cinema but a full "cinema-going experience," claiming: "We want to make it a magical place."

He said Reel would do at the Odeon what it has done elsewhere, such as the former Curzon at Loughborough, in Leicestershire, an art deco building which the company spent three years transforming into a superb cinema.

How the saga of York's threatened cinema unfolded

THE Odeon cinema story so far:October 2003: Planners block proposals to remove traditional Odeon signs as part of refurbishment, despite warnings owners could shut cinema over issue.

November 27, 2003: Company reveals it is assessing Odeon's "economic viability".

January 15, 2004: The Evening Press launches campaign to save the Odeon.

January 16, 2004: Scores of readers bombard paper with messages of support.

March 12, 2004: Petition signed by 13,000 people delivered to Odeon HQ, despite attempted snub.

October 20, 2004: Press exposes shocking neglect at the cinema, including toilets described as disgusting and naked light bulbs.

March 25, 2006: The cinema's boiler breaks down leaving cinemagoers feeling like extras from Ice Age 2.

March 31, 2006: Odeon announces cinema is to close.

August 31, 2006: Odeon shuts down after almost 70 years of entertaining generations of York cinemagoers.

June 16, 2007: Reel Cinemas announces it is planning to buy the cinema and restore it to its former glory.