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'Hugging' Bradford's Odeon?

People in Bradford are being asked to join together to 'hug' the city's historic and much-loved Odeon cinema which is due to be pulled down so that redevelopment can take place on the site.

It's seven years since the city centre cinema closed its doors following the opening of the new Odeon in Thornbury and since then the future both of the building and of the site has been in doubt.

aerial shot of proposed new victoria place

The future?: New Victoria Place

In 2006 people across the district were asked to comment on three competing plans for the development of this landmark site and in August the winner of the designer-developer competition was announced. Named New Victoria Place, the proposed development is for a new public square with offices, studios and apartments.

But, for many Bradfordians, the Odeon may be a hard act to follow. The building once boasted a theatre, ballroom, restaurant and tea rooms as well as the cinema. It was also one of the largest concert venues in the north of England - the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were among the bands who trod its stage. And, for those who fell in love and did their courting at the Odeon, the old cinema is likely to have a very special place in their hearts.

The Hug the Odeon event, described by its organisers as "a mass demonstration of public support", takes place on Saturday July 14th at 11.45am and those taking part will be asked to encircle the building. And the Save the Odeon campaign doesn't stop here - not only are many of the city's musicians expected to turn up to 'hug' the building but a Save the Odeon Gig is planned for Saturday July 28th, 2007.

Plants growing out of the Odeon building

Bradford's own hanging gardens

John Pennington is a member of the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG) and one of the organisers of the Hug the Odeon event. He believes alternatives to demolishing the cinema have never really been considered: "We haven't seen both sides of the coin. We've never had an alternative. We've been told by the Council, by the regeneration company (Bradford Centre Regeneration) and by Yorkshire Forward that this is what we are going to get."

Viewed from the outside the slow degeneration of the building seems all too obvious but John Pennington believes this does not tell the whole story. He says: "We've got to see inside. We've got to see what it looks like and, thankfully, someone somewhere has taken some photos of it and the building is not as derelict as we've been told it is. It's still in a sound condition."

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE: Photos taken inside the cinema after its closure released by the Bradford Odeon Rescue Group (BORG):

Inside the Odeon >

Mike Cowlam, Bradford Council's Assistant Director of Regeneration, disagrees: "The opportunity to redevelop the Odeon has been advertised. Eighteen companies came forward with proposals and none of those proposals included retaining the building.

"We need regeneration projects in Bradford city centre and the Odeon is the flagship project. We will be doing what we can to see the project move forward and become buildings and jobs and wealth for the local people. It's not in our interests for sites to remain empty."

Meanwhile, the former picture palace is still standing but it looks increasingly unloved.

last updated: 13/07/07

Have Your Say

Tell us what YOU think about people coming together to 'hug' the former Odeon cinema in Bradford city centre.

PB
Fantastic. Power to the people! Bradford Council need to start listening to what people want. They've tried regenerating the town since 1986 - 21 years later and they still don't have a clue. Long live the Odeon and down with the concrete monstrosities!!!

Stephen
Am I the only one who thinks that thi is an awful building? I mean look at it! Red brick? why! Why don't we get something new that will actually look nice instead of saying oh no we have got to keep it just cos its a bit older. If it doesn't look nice well git rid of it!

Joe, Britanniapark
I saw the new building on building Britain, the tv show, I can't believe that brad ford would want to replace its best heritage buildings with such vile monstrosities. Featureless plain buildings. Bradford is now going to be fed the same sales man spiel that Leeds has been fed. Spiel by get rich quick developers that are already millionaires And to jayesh, this building could be a night club! you don't really think theyre going to put a night club and bars at the bottom of their blocks of flats do you.? They wouldn't sell.

A Matter of Heritage (joel/bradford)
Modernisation as a lasting form of regeneration is completely counter productive! And with regard to jayesh maisuria(?) "to me is an eye sore it is probably one of the most ugliest buildings in bradford" i think Illingworth and Brunelleschi would dissagre! if anything, its current state is a reflection of the councils lack of obligation and care to hold onto its historical herritage; one that once was accounted for by its patrons, not foreigner's who just want bars and restaurant's.

jayesh maisuria
7 years this building has been there and to me is an eye sore it is probably one of the most ugliest buildings in bradford, the whole of bradford generally needs redeveloping, and with the domes on the roof it looks like a mosque and i think that bradford has plenty of those in the community (no offence)they need to make a new modern development something like the works that they have in manchester and birmingham and leeds shopping plaza. Bradford has one main nightclub (Livingstones) thats why most people travel to Leeds to go out, come on get your act together and create some more trendy bars and nightclubs and some nice restaurants e.g tapas, italian, noodle bars, thai, not just indian restaurants, i think bradford has enough of those. also some more retail shops as again most people travel to leeds to shop because bradford doesn't have enough, yes the westfied is getting built but WHEN? it was meant to be completed next year! oh and a park in the centre of Bradford WHY? use the money to develop the things Bradford needs!!!

Andrew Alinson
I personally think its a terrible shame, you only have to look at some of the old buildings in the city to see that the odeon is in keeping, with its lovely domes, i can't understand why they can't intergrate new and old. They seemed to do a good job with the Bradford Alhambra! The proposed building looks more like the old police station than anything else, how dated will it look in 10-20 years time? I say keep the Odeon domes and just modernise around what is alrady there.

Richard Bevan
I think the loss of the iconic building will be another blow to the morale of Bradford's citizens. Could it be a case that the local council have allowed this beautiful building to fall into a state of disrepair? The main city centre is already being regentrified. Surely the retention of a unique vintage building is important to counter the gradual chipping away of Bradford's history and unique architecture. If other cities like Leeds can retain their old buildings with modern usage why can't Bradford do the same?

Sarah, Bradford
Bradford is too blinded by the thought of instant pound signs to look ahead - look at the pipe dream that is Broadway, a permanent building site. At least the decaying structure of the Odeon comes complete with its own blueprint, it will only take a bit of hard work - and a little bit of soul! - to resurrect this building. Unfortunately, Bradford, like the glamorous heyday of cinemas and ballrooms like the original New Victoria, is past its best, a poor relation of Leeds. Even if a Lottery grant were awarded to save the Odeon, Bradford seems to have holes in its pockets.

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