Reel Cinemas Ltd look set to win permission for new signs on Blossom Street cinema (From York Press)

Reel Cinemas Ltd look set to win permission for new signs on Blossom Street cinema

7:48am Thursday 13th August 2009 in News By Gavin Aitchison, gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk

THE revival of York’s former Odeon cinema looks set to take another step forward, after planning officials backed proposals for new signs on the historic building.

Reel Cinemas Ltd looks set to win permission to emblazon its name across the landmark art-deco structure in Blossom Street, following its refurbishment earlier this year.

The building’s signage caused a bitter row several years ago when the council refused to allow Odeon to change its frontage, ultimately leading to the firm walking away from York altogether.

Reel Cinemas has held talks with council officials in an attempt to avoid a repeat flare-up, and looks to have come up with an acceptable blueprint.

City of York Council’s west and city centre area planning sub-committee will meet next Thursday, and councillors have been advised to approve Reel’s proposals, which include retaining the largest of the existing Odeon signs.

Planning officer Jonathan Kenyon said the signs would “respect the design of the listed building and would not detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area”.

Reel has had to seek consent twice – one for the advertising slogans and once because it is a listed building.

Mr Kenyon has recommended approval on both scores.

He said: “Due to the location and overall design of the signs proposed, officers consider that the signage maintains the appearance of the listed building and does not detract from its historic/architectural interest.”

The cinema closed its doors three years ago, despite a petition signed by more than 13,000 readers of the then Evening Press.

It looked doomed, but was given a new lease of life when Kailash Suri, managing director of Reel Cinemas, bought the building. It reopened in June, following a major overhaul.

He said ahead of the opening that he had never seen such strong support for one of his projects, describing the public feeling as “extraordinary”.

On the planning officers’ backing, Mr Suri said: “I am very pleased that the signs are being recommended for approval.

“They will make our presence much more visible to people in the area.” The application will be considered at the Guildhall at 3pm on Thursday.