CINEMA-goers have reacted with shock at the sudden announcement that York's Odeon is to close after nearly 70 years.

The Evening Press revealed on Saturday that the cinema will shut its doors in August, despite a 13,000 name petition to save it.

Movie fans said it was a sad loss of the traditional picture house, which is a Grade II Listed Building, but admitted it was in need of too much renovation work.

James Hardy, 25, a personal trainer, of Haxby Road, York, said: "It's too old-fashioned and run down. I don't think many people use it so maybe it would be a waste of money to save it. They'll probably turn it into a nightclub or something instead."

Becky Harris, 20, of Haxby, said: "It's quite expensive, considering how run down it is. I think the problem is that people are going to City Screen or Vue at Clifton Moor instead, because they're nicer and more modern."

Workers were told about the decision to close the cinema on Friday but were angry that bosses had not revealed plans earlier.

They said rumours had been circulating for months that their 23 jobs were under threat but no statement was made by the company until the sudden announcement.

One worker, who said he was called Gary, said: "The company has gone about it in a bad way because they hadn't said anything until Friday, and then there wasn't any consultation. We were just told it was closing.

"There's no redundancy payment or anything like that and they're talking about finding people jobs in other Odeons, like Harrogate, but I don't think anyone will want to travel.

"I've already got another job, but I'm not sure what other people will do."

George Shepherd, 82, from Dringhouses, York, who was manager at the Odeon for 26 years from 1967, was also informed of the closure by bosses.

"It's a very sad day, but I think somewhat inevitable," he said.

"I have some great memories from my time there."

It is not known what will happen to the Odeon building, but developers believe it could be worth £2 million.

York MP Hugh Bayley said: "It's a very fine building and should not and must not be demolished. It would be most sensible for it to be used for the purpose it was originally designed for."

Developers could be interested in turning the building into everything from a hotel or nightclub to apartments, offices or even a museum, a property expert said today.

The Blossom Street cinema, situated alongside the main entrance to the city, could be worth millions of pounds, said Andrew Hedley, of Blacks property consultants.

But its value would be dependent on how tightly planners restricted its redevelopment, and whether they allowed sufficient changes to be made.

"The problem is it will be worth what planners will let it be used for," he said. "It's totally governed by the planners."

Mr Hedley revealed there was likely to be interest from nightclub operators, and hoteliers as well, particularly in the Mount area.

He said it was rare for a building of its size to come onto the market.

City of York Council has said that the Odeon property was an important building in York and one the authority would want to protect.

A spokeswoman for Odeon said the cinema chain did not own the York building. It leased it from a property management company whose details she did not have.

We asked people what they thought about the closure of the Odeon Cinema

Andrea Loates, 34, of Acomb, said: "It would be a shame if they knocked the cinema down as it does have a long history. It should be modernised and developed - as long as they don't turn it into flats because there's already too many expensive apartments in York."

Mick Tasker, 44, of Acomb, said: "It's a shame to lose it. They can't change the front of the building because it's listed, so I'm not really sure what it could be used for - maybe a supermarket."

Christine Hick, 55, of Tadcaster, said: "It will be a shame if we lost the building and it is sad for the people who work there. But I'm not sure many people go to the Odeon. Maybe they should turn it into a

theatre."

Alex Plaisance, 26, of York, said: "All the old cinemas where built in this style, but its looks old-fashioned and shabby and I'm not sure why it's listed. It is a pity they can't refurbish it to compete with places like City Screen."

Updated: 09:49 Tuesday, April 04, 2006