Here's an interesting photograph of the beautiful Odeon cinema in York, one of two (Chester's, of course, being the other) that were specially designed and executed because of the historic surroundings in which they were situated. It was designed by Robert Bullivant, of the Harry Weedon Architectural practice.
Sadly, it was forced to close down as recently as August 2006. Vist this page on the superb Cinema Treasures website for all the sorry details...

June 2006: Bad News for the Chester Odeon!

We're sorry to report that Chester's last city centre cinema, the Odeon, has been sold- to a nightclub developer!

Unlike its ill-fated sister house in York (see above), where they refused to kow-tow to the Odeon's demands for their absurd corporate 're-branding', it went ahead here- our planners expressed unhappiness about it but Odeon/UCI threatened to close if they didn't get their way and there was, naturally, a prompt back-down. The rebranding went ahead- the old red sign was replaced with a blue one- and, mere months later, they sold it anyway...

The buyers, Doncaster-based Brook Leisure, who operate night clubs in Doncaster, Huddersfield and Oldham, have, for the moment, leased the building back to Odeon and have declared that the cinema will continue to operate "for the next couple of years".

Rupert Gavin, chief executive of Odeon/UCI Cinemas, said they had taken the lease on the building from the new owners until they came to a decision as to its fate- and, having done so, "to obtain the necessary planning approvals". He continued, "We are always very reluctant to leave any city in the UK" (we thought we were the only one until we heard about York!) "but, regrettably, with the increasing amount of new competition with modern facilities coming into Chester and the surrounding area, the profitability of running an old building like the Odeon Chester has become increasingly unviable".

Just what all this "modern new competition" springing up may be is somewhat of a mystery to the locals. Our only city centre theatre, the Gateway, is approaching the end of its final season and is being torn down next year to make way for a huge shopping/yuppy flats development (coincidentally right next door to the cinema) and the site of our award-winning swimming and leisure complex, the Northgate Arena, has been flogged off for the erection of a Hilton hotel, of all things.

To generations of Chester people, an evening at the Odeon meant much more than merely watching a film. One could meet one's loved one or friends to have a drink or two, perhaps a meal, maybe watch the world go by in the Market Square or enjoy an early evening stroll on the Walls of a nice evening- whatever made the perfect evening for you- before settling down to enjoy your film. After the show, there was still the chance of some supper and a final drink before going home.

But soon, it seems, Chester's film fans will be condemned to having to get in their cars to flog out to the cheerless wasteland of the Greyhound Retail Park or, further afield, to the pseudo-American hell of Cheshire Oaks near Ellsmere Port.

And the city centre will not only lose out on all that custom but also be abandoned to the tender mercies of yet more drunken clubbers...

11th December 2009: Yes, friends, welcome to the city that fancies itself as a 'Capital of Culture' but doesn't even have a theatre or cinema! It's just embarrassing. And once again, planning permission is being sought by Brook Leisure in far-away Doncaster to turn Chester's beloved- but outrageously closed- Art Deco Odeon Cinema into yet another nightclub!
If, like us, you are sick to death of the foolishness and philistinism, it is of vital importance that you spare a few minutes to write to the planners (just a few lines will suffice) to say so: Nial Casselden, Development Control, Chester Area Office, Cheshire West & Chester Council, The Forum, Chester CH1 2HS. Or email: nial.casselden@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk. In either case, it is important that you quote applications 09/11740/FUL and 11741/LBC.
Some links: Join this campaigning Facebook group which already boasts hundreds of members: The Picture House- Music, Media and Arts Centre for Chester? | Chester's MP, Christine Russell, is leading an excellent campaign to transform the Odeon into what we all want. Contact her here to offer your support: House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA Tel: 020 7219 6398 Fax: 020 7219 0943 Email: russellcm@parliament.uk | Nag your councillor, write to the local press, do what you can to save the Odeon from the barbarians!

Fanatical about film? The departed? The irony never stops...

The Odeon's sorry situation was never once alluded to during the voluminous press coverage of the regional premiere of the new blockbuster James Bond film, Casino Royale, which took place here before an invited audience on 15th November 2006. The film's star, Daniel Craig (definitely the best Bond yet) was born in 1968 just down the road in Liverpool Road, Chester and he is said to have seen his first James Bond film at the Odeon.
After the show, Chester City Council's tourism boss, Gerald Tattum enthused, "next time, bring the world premiere to Chester!" An excellent idea indeed- but where?

We regret to inform you that the Odeon Cinema was closed in June 2007. More on this soon...

• Return to the first page of our visit to the Odeon or perhaps visit the Northgate chapters of our Chester Virtual Stroll to learn more of this fascinating part of the city. Alternatively, go on to find out a little about Chester's only suburban cinema- the Park in Saltney...

• We also recommend that you visit a remarkable website dedicated to the history and preservation of 'picture palaces' worldwide: Cinema Treasures. Another superb source is the Bill Douglas Centre for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture.