Odeon Bradford
Prince's Way,
Bradford,
BD1 2BS
Prince's Way,
Bradford,
BD1 2BS
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing all 25 comments
Vintage photographs of the New Victoria Cinema, and its Wurlitzer organ console;
http://www.ukwurlitzer.co.cc/2116.html
A vintage photograph of the New Victoria Cinema in 1931, soon after its opening:
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You guys have such beautiful theatres and really great stories to read.
Here is an undated photo.
Posting 3 times in a row… I just know there’s something wrong.
But I come with good news, for those who live in Bradford and want to save this building anyways.
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Yes, you are reading that right. To be more justified, English Heritage is not allowing the New Victoria scheme to go ahead, including full demolition of the New Vic/Gaumont/Odeon. Now, if only BORG would submit their plans if a review period is set up again, instead of letting some ‘heartless’ developer come up with some smart alec solution that would involve destroying this as a cinema.
I’ve been putting this off, so better to take the stake to the heart now than later.
Bradford New Vic/Gaumont/ODEON has been refused listing and is doomed, here’s a link.
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Since I don’t live in Bradford, my opinion does not count and therefore, I resent my ‘Save this building’ comments here. They can do much better on the ODOEN/Paramount Newcastle which I’m near.
My guess is that BORG will do the dangerous and walk on the site, preventing the demoliton staff from destroying it. Then again, BORG knows not to do anything dangerous.
I didn’t inform BORG about said above article on my last comment and I will refuse to inform them about this, since I don’t live in Bradford and I’ve never been in the building properly.
Better look at this
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The council are allowing demolition of this grand picutre palace. It’s a case of them saying they can’t do it yet they can. In this case, they say that this cinema is unreparible, yet it can be listed and saved.
Totally unexcuseable.
I’ll be informing BORG about this.
Just don’t think about the two new [horrible] small screens – look at some of the photos above. We should all look for the main auditorium [bingo], the ballroom and the restaurant; all of these areas have false lowered ceilings with original decorative plaster and decorations above.
English Heritage should look at all these areas/points before they say it is not worth listing!
And remember, it’s the New Victoria or Gaumont NOT the Odeon – the Odeon-built Odeon was on Manchester Rd 600 mts away.
Best regards to all
The Bradford Odeon could be saved. Check this newsbit out.
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If they say that it’s worth it, perhaps this could be saved. Although, they could say no and say that Demo is ok. And considering the changes done, I highly doubt the future of this building. I mean, screen 1 and 2 are pretty bare.
The condition of the former Odeon continues to deteriorate. The frontage onto Princes Way is looking particularly poor now, after the removal of the lightbox and canopy. Photos from April 2008 here:–
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Two vintage and one current photographs of the Odeon, courtesy of the Cinema Theatre Association archives:
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These links show the state of the Odeon internally that were taken last year. Many thanks to converse1.
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“HUG THE BRADFORD ODEON”
This weekend saw a demonstration held by Bradford residents to oppose the demolition of the cinema.
Images in the link below.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aniac/
I just cannot believe this great building was not listed. I was the assistant manager here for a couple of years in 1962. my first film was Dr Caligaries Coffin – 3282 seats and total ads for the week were about 600!! It was run in those days with two enourmous Coke Boilers for all heating ect., with a full time boilerman. A real Cine/Theatre with beautiful foyers, a large Cafe and a big Ballroom -do look at Colin Suttons site [see above] it just shows what we are all going to miss forever
According to the latest CTA bulletin, the old New Victoria building will be demolished after last ditch plans which would have retained the towers have been rejected.
What a wonderful site created by Colin Sutton – the detailed facts are superb!
Just for the record between 1961 and 1964 David Wilmot was the GM – this was the true hayday of one night stands – in 1963 the beatles one night [two performances] sold out [6564 seats as it was then]in 2 hours 40 mins with 10 ticket selling positions – I know I was Davids Assistant Manager!
ben,
Thanks for the address of Colin Sutton’s website. To make a linl work on here you need to leave a couple of spaces or type the link on a new line. Here it is again in it’s ‘clickable’ form:
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here is Colin Sutton’s website full of info and pics including original New Victoria interiors etc. etc. <http://www.kingsdr.demon.co.uk/cinemas/newvi3.htm#intro> ben 14 Mar 06
Lets just remember there was a seperate Odeon built Odeon in Bradford on Manchester Road, a typical Odeon demolished many years ago. Most people will always refer to this beauty as the ‘Gaumont’ or ‘New Vic’
Having been to a meeting to discuss the future of the building (oct 4th Council Chamber) , the surveyers confirmed the condition of the building is in a poor state indeed. It would be interesting to view a copy of the report produced and see if the whole of the structure is in such a poor condition as has been made out. If anyone has got any images of the inside of the building as it is now it would be much appreciated. my e-mail address is .uk
Following the news that the Odeon auditorium was not a viable proposition to restore, but the facade and two towers would be incorporated into a new building, comes the sad news that the steelwork is a) in a poor condition and b) intricately linked to the steel frame of the rest of the building. It therefore seems likely that the entire building will now be demolished. (November 2004)
http://cinematreasures.org/news/12194_0_1_0_C/
an article in the local press says there are plans to make this into a spice centre and asian arts venue/museum
SHADDUP, MICHAEL, you goose.
THE NEW ODEON MULTIPLEX WHICH IS KNOWN AS LEEDS / BRADFORD ODEON COULD NEVER REPLACE THE FORMER NEW VICTORIA/ODEON IN PRINCES WAY BRADFORD.
DEREK ATKINS(PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER MERCIA CINEMA SOCIETY).