Odeon Manchester

Vintage photographs of the Paramount/Odeon, and its Wurlitzer organ console:
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2120.html

I never had the chance to go into the Oxford Road Odeon, unfortunately, however, i used to walk past it nearly every day whilst i was at Salford Uni. I used to look up at it and think how sad it was that it was boarded up. I ended up doing a little research and reading up about the Gaumont, and the Oxford Picture House (now mcDonald’s) and the countless cinemas along that road, and became absolutely fascinated. It’s funny because whilst people do kick up a fuss at other cinemas closing, this one always seems to keep people talking, whether it’s because of the demolition rumours i don’t know.

I even wrote an article in the student paper, I was that incensed and focused on getting the place re-opened – in the article i interviewed Aidan O'Rourke (from 3D fan’s link!) I’m guessing the Covenant and the details about the interior ‘trashing’ came as a pretty huge blow to him, he was a big campaigner for saving the building and preventing it’s possible faceless replacement.

Anyone interested in this cinema should read about the history of entertainment and cinema along the Oxford Road/Peter Street Axis. It goes back well over 100 years, and it’s really sad, with the exception of the Cornerhouse the end of the Odeon brings the end of that fantastic piece of history. It was Manchester’s most prestigious and luxiourious cinema, it survived world war II’s blitz, it was one of the very few Odeon cinemas which didn’t adopt their unique and now classic architecture, it showed the first full length technicolour movie. It is virtually the last of the manchester picture houses, it outlived pretty much every other in the city, the Gaumont, the Picadilly Picture House, The Deansgate Picture House, The Grosvenor, The New Oxford, The Regal… which is a great feat in itself.

I’m so passionate about this one, and I never even got to step foot in it! It will be such a sad day when the knock it down.

a scan of the reopening brochure cover from 1992 when it reopened with 7 screens
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/3535001773/

This circa 1971 photo might have been linked to previously. This is a direct link to the photo.

I have to say I largely agree with the outcome although this has been brought about by iniquities that should not exist.

1) the interior was deliberately trashed before English Heritage could view the Odeon. Such acts of vandalism should be made legally reversible at the cost of the owner if EH decide that prior to the destruction it was listable. Furthermore EH should have the right to thoroughly inspect a building (including looking behind partition walls and above ceilings causing potential damage to existing fittings) before coming to a conclusion.

2) if organisations such as Odeon’s owners place a covenant on a building to prevent a specific use in the future then a portion of the sale price should be required to be donated to other similar enterprises in the area. So say a 20% levy on this development purchase price should be made available to aid cinema preservation in the area. Cutting into their profits is the only way to stop restrictive practises. At least if one building is lost, then another might be saved.

3) the dereliction and sub-division it itself is not insurmountable. I commented recently on the Berkhamsted Rex which was in a far worse state than the Odeon, but where there was a will (much opposed) to save it. There is no such desire in Manchester to save the Odeon

This was the Odeon in 1991.

An April 2008 view here:–

View link

p.s. I hope Manchester members don’t get squeamish about a Brummie rummaging around in their local history. I was a Manchester/Stockport ratepayer between 1986 and 1996 LOL.

Correction to previous comment:Date should read March 4,2008.

any news on the demolition date yet?

Try this one! View link

The Odeon organ was a 4/20 Wurlitzer.

A night view of the shuttered building in November 2007 here:–

View link

A report from the Cinema Theatre Association, who put the Odeon forward for an urgent spot-listing, states that:–

“We were completely shocked and horrified to discover from the English Heritage inspector that most of the interior decoration had been deliberately trashed in a targeted removal of anything of architectural merit.”